From Belfast to Bellaghy and beyond: Translink Poet in Residence launches new travel blogs

Niamh McNally Translink Poet in Residence on the Enterprise Train to Dublin

Translink is encouraging passengers to explore Northern Ireland and beyond in a new and creative way, with a series of travel blogs written by its Poet in Residence, Niamh McNally.

The weekly blog series, running until the end of October, documents Niamh’s journeys from Belfast Grand Central Station to towns, cities and cultural landmarks across the island. Her travels include visits to Dublin’s Abbey Theatre, Armagh’s Navan Fort, Antrim Castle Gardens, Enniskillen’s lakelands, Bellaghy’s Seamus Heaney HomePlace, and the coastal beauty spots of Bangor and Castlerock.

Louise Doyle, Belfast Grand Central Station Manager, said:

“These blogs show Belfast Grand Central Station as a gateway not only to travel but to culture, history, and community life across the island. Niamh captures the heart of our network – the people, places and stories that make every journey meaningful.”

The initiative forms part of Translink’s Poetry in Motion blog series, which coincides with the Railway 200 celebrations — marking 200 years since the world’s first passenger railway opened in the UK.

This milestone is more than a historic anniversary, with Translink highlighting how public transport has transformed lives, shaped communities, and driven cultural and economic change.

Through her blogs, Niamh reflects this theme by focusing on connection, belonging and the shared experiences of travel.

Niamh McNally, Poet in Residence, said:

“What strikes me most on these journeys is how every trip sparks a story, and how accessible places are when travelling on public transport. Whether it’s a quiet conversation on the train, a hidden corner of a town, or a chance encounter with a stranger on the bus, those moments stay with me.

“I hope these blogs inspire people to explore and find their own stories travelling with Translink.”

Each blog encourages readers to use the Translink Journey Planner app, designed to help passengers plan journeys across Northern Ireland and cross-border routes by bus, coach or rail.

The app offers live tracking for Metro and Glider services, bike-and-ride and park-and-ride options, a CO₂ saving calculator, and accessible journey planning.

The blogs are being released every Thursday until the end of October, with themes including:

Already published

• Dungannon and the Hill of the O’Neill’s

• A Not-So Rocky Road to Dublin

• Exploring the Jewels of Antrim Town

• Delving Into the Mysticism of Ard Mhacha – Armagh and Navan Fort

• Crannogs, Castles & a Journey Through the Fermanagh Lakelands

• My Trip to the Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy

Upcoming posts

• Textiles, The Castle and Gardens – Hillsborough (2 October)

• Bangor Boats Away (9 October)

• The Maiden City – Derry~Londonderry (16 October)

• Exploring Newry’s Town Centre (23 October)

• A Tourist in My Own City – Belfast (30 October)

The full blog series can be accessed via the Translink website: A Not-So Rocky Road to Dublin | Niamh’s Travel Blog | Translink.

About Niamh McNally

Niamh McNally is Translink’s Poet in Residence for 2025. Her work explores themes of movement, connection and everyday life. Through workshops, pop-up performances and school outreach, her residency brings poetry into public spaces to spark creativity and conversation.

About Railway 200

Railway 200 is a UK-wide celebration marking 200 years since the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825 – the world’s first public passenger railway. Throughout 2025, Translink is joining rail industry partners across the UK to honour this historic milestone, celebrate the role of rail in connecting communities, and inspire future generations through creative, cultural and educational events.