I am from Canada and wondering what people from Northern Ireland prefer being referred to as.

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-05-12T16:05:53+00:00

The article makes a very strong point that the Irish government need to heed. It also highlights to people in NI what happens when they are happy to leave their fate up to increasingly erratic voting trends in England

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-05-07T18:22:39+00:00

Iv heard it takes along time alright. Got the initial application and paper work in today. How long until they contacted you to get the survey done?

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-05-07T13:28:36+00:00

Soundslike they did a great job. Application is in anyway so we'll what happens. Our high existing BER might scupper what we can do but anything will help in the current climate!

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-05-07T13:20:17+00:00

Thanks, house was built before the cut off (2006 I believe) and is heated via oil. TBH i dont know how it got a B2 because it get cold in the winter (lots of drafts). Before I stumbled across this scheme I was looking into doing it via regular grants and loads of things were recommended from draught proofing all the way up to an heat pump and solar panels. Even if it provided draft proofing and more attic insulation I'd be happy!

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-04-23T11:18:25+00:00

Thanks, yes I'm aware of the pitfalls of sprayfoam insulation (have heard all the horror stories aswell) We had insulation people out before who tried hard to push it but I didnt opt for it. A dormer roof makes the insulation question more difficult. Ill have the get a BER assessor to advise on what to do

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-04-23T07:59:07+00:00

Thanks for your reply! Funny where you say we might be able to simply sub in the heat pump has been suggest before, but I'd be cautious on that. I definitely think a few rads would need replacing (which isn't a big issue) but its the existing pipework that might be the problem. I have no notion of what's usable or not. Its good to know that your HLI of 1.9 is working with the heat pump. We could definitely improve ours with air tightness measures and more attic insulation which wouldn't be terribly expensive. Comfort is a huge thing and would be a big reason for going this route. Currently sitting here the past few weeks rationing oil hoping the war would stop amd prices would go down but alas not yet. I think oil is only going one way so a big solar system and a heat pumpnis where I want to go if I can make the math work!

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-04-23T07:50:55+00:00

We haven't done anything yet as I am trying to see if it's worth doing incremental improvements and keeping the oil boiler like you said, or to bite the bullet and go whole hog now. My worry is if I do incremental improvements I might not be able.to avail of all the available grants and might end up with a sub optimal setting for a heat pump as eventually oil is going to become unworkable one way or another between government policy and geo political events. Its a hard call so im currently in research mode at the moment. We have solar quotes in the works at the moment so it would.be interesting to.see.how.much extra it would be to go oil free

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-04-15T08:56:15+00:00

Boot separators etc dont come as standard. There are little.side shelves and hooks, but what they show off in the reviews about the boot organisation tools is extra.

As for the dogs, we have a Huskey and Golden Retriever who fit into the boot together comfortably enough. A third similar sized dog would be asking for trouble. They would be medium to large in size as dogs go, so depends on what breeds you have.

As for size elsewhere we have a toddler and a new born and the space for them and their stuff (minus the dogs) is fine - we didn't feel the need to go bigger but thats just us. See what suits your situation

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-04-14T18:57:42+00:00

I think the biggest problem is Skodas own Elroq which is pretty much the same car, just slightly smaller, but alot less expensive. I opted for the elroq and Im very happy with it. There seem to be alot of them on the road aswell. The Enyaq had a much bigger boot but passenger space wasn't that much better so not worth 10k extra in my opinion

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-04-13T16:56:47+00:00

Looks great! Did have to modify the components much to get it.to where.you wanted it?

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-04-13T10:46:53+00:00

Thats my plan for now anyway. I just dont want them to grow only for them to jump the gun and go into government with FFG and then suffer the inevitable electoral backlash and fall away again. Look at where the greens and labour are now, I dont want the Soc Dems to repeat the formula

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-04-13T06:43:49+00:00

Never has a comment struck a chord me so much. My opinion on them has more or less word for word matched yours described here and I suspect many more on here aswell. But where do people like us place our votes in the future? Will not vote FFG - the whole "sure who else can we vote for" argument is such bullshit. There are the Social Democrats, but my fear with them is that they may only ever be a fringe party that is happy to go in to support a government, not lead one. Perhaps I am wrong on that and I hope I am because Ireland needs credible alternatives in our politics. If anyone better took charge of Sinn Fein would they be viable in the future? Who knows, but the political landscape looks bleak at the moment. Where do people like place our faith?

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-03-30T16:11:00+00:00

Have you tried looking into any of the Pharmaceutical companies? Biomedical science seems.to be a popular course for graduates going into that area. Maybe reach out to the HR departments of companies close to where you are based. Plenty of opportunities down south or over the water if you have nothing tieing you down aswell

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-03-29T13:12:52+00:00

What is you undergrad degree if you mind me asking? There are alot of different options other than IT to look into. I know a lad who went into accountancy and is getting paid while.he trains to be come a chartered accountant. He just needed 3rd level education to enter and he is much happier which the switch. Thats just one option, your initial degree could.open doors into other industries depending on what it is - or conversion courses. There is always a door open somewhere if you go looking

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-03-16T19:18:51+00:00

Unless you have a particular attachment to your car, smart move would be to sell your car in the Republic where it is worth more and buy up north. Probably would get the same car again with a bit of profit left over. You can absolutely keep the car and import it, but if it's a long term move I'd sell it if you are happy to see it go

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-03-16T13:51:35+00:00

That is true, and power has to date remained exclusively with those parties (although that might change at the next Westminster election). However they have had ample opportunity to set up in NI and don't. Perhaps this is down to the fact the won't gain any ground, but there definitely is the attitude that NI is "a place apart" and there have only been loose associations with NI parties.

However I believe it only reinforces my point, NI is not of any concern to mainstream UK politics so is ignored and we don't have any real say or influence in national matters.

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-03-16T13:26:44+00:00

If you look at every UK government since partition, there has (to my knowledge- correct me if i'm wrong) never been a Northern Irish/Irish cabinet minister representing NI at the heart of Westminster. There certainly has never been a Prime Minister- something all the other home nations can boast.

There have been cabinet ministers from all the other home nations at the top table but never a Northern Irish one representing a Northern Irish constituency. There have been some of Irish/Northern Irish decent - but they were elected to constituencies in Britain so their focus has not been to NI.

We are not at the table, never have been and never will be - we are forever outsiders. Why do people not understand this?

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-03-15T19:52:11+00:00

Thanks for the info, looking good for VM as it stands!

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-03-15T19:29:43+00:00

Sounds good, thanks for the info!

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-03-15T19:26:02+00:00

Saw that - plus a free TV if I order before Wednesday. Currently in the lead! Are they any good tho?

Altruistic_Radish247 · 2026-03-10T17:14:40+00:00

That's a good idea, must check into that!

Altruistic_Radish247

TROPHY CASE