0:00:02 > 0:00:05I am on a mission to celebrate Northern Ireland's friendliness
0:00:05 > 0:00:07in all its many guises but I'm not doing it alone.
0:00:07 > 0:00:12No, I've brought along an old friend of mine just for the ride.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16- # If you change your mind - Take a chance...- #
0:00:16 > 0:00:20Adrian Chiles and I have found ourselves in some unusual situations
0:00:20 > 0:00:23over the course of our ten-year friendship.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29Now, the Brummie known for, let's say,
0:00:29 > 0:00:33having a slightly cynical outlook on life, is joining me on my journey.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37And if I can convince Northern Irish folk to make friends with
0:00:37 > 0:00:43Adrian Chiles, then it really will prove that we are the friendliest place in the country,
0:00:43 > 0:00:47if not the planet! And, so far, we're doing OK.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49We've met some interesting people.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- That's a funny accent you've got. That's not a...- It's a Brummie accent.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Is it? Aw!
0:00:54 > 0:00:56This is getting better and better all the time.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59We've heard some truly touching tales.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02How does it feel now, Justin, to look at your best mate,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05to know that a part of him is keeping you alive?
0:01:05 > 0:01:08It's something I don't forget, you know? Daily, I know Mark's
0:01:08 > 0:01:11kidney is giving me this quality of life.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14And Adrian's even found himself some brand-new friends.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Let's hug it out. Fantastic. I found some friends, proper friends!
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Nan and Betty, they're the business!
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Do you know what? I think he's finally getting it.
0:01:23 > 0:01:24Understanding normal, good people
0:01:24 > 0:01:27and appreciating what friendship is all about.
0:01:27 > 0:01:28What is he looking for? Are you all right?
0:01:28 > 0:01:31- What are you after? - There's no First Class.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33I've looked up and down, there's nothing.
0:01:33 > 0:01:34- I know, I know.- It's all normal.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36There's more work needed. It's OK, it's all right.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Come on.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00So far, my efforts had focused on Belfast,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04but we were now heading off into the very heart of Northern Ireland,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08into its glorious countryside and towards its coast.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12I was convinced that by introducing city slicker Chiles to good,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16decent rural folk, he would really start to appreciate just how friendly we are.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Where do you think might be the friendliest, though?
0:02:19 > 0:02:22A big city or more out in the countryside?
0:02:22 > 0:02:25I think they're probably friendly in different ways.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Probably more intimate in the countryside
0:02:28 > 0:02:31and possibly, if you're a stranger, then there are two ways it can go.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35It can either be like that scene in Deliverance where everything goes
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- quiet when you walk in, but I'd suggest here it's a bit different, I reckon.- Yeah.
0:02:42 > 0:02:43Well, let's hope so.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47If one place could convince Adrian of the friendliness of our rural
0:02:47 > 0:02:53residents, it would surely be the first stop on our countryside caper - Ballycastle.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Recently named the best place to live in Northern Ireland,
0:02:59 > 0:03:04I wanted Adrian to feel the warmth of the locals there first hand.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08First, though, I needed to make sure he blended in.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Now, Adrian, Ballycastle is very famous...
0:03:13 > 0:03:14- Is it?- ..for a certain confectionery.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- Yes.- Yeah.- It's called Yellowman.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- Is it?- Yeah!- Where did they get the name from for that?
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- I don't know where it came from. - It's certainly very yellow.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- Do you want a go? I think you might like this, you know. - Is it to be sucked or chewed?
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Anything you want. It's very versatile.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- Any additives, preservatives? - LAUGHING: No, no, no, it's all natural!
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- All fresh, all natural! - Yeah! What do you make of it?
0:03:35 > 0:03:37It sort of tastes yellow. I can't really describe it.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Fair enough. Well, I just thought because this is such a famous thing
0:03:40 > 0:03:43from these parts, and to help endear yourself to the people of Ballycastle,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45we could pay tribute to this very famous sweet.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- It would be my honour.- Yeah? - Yeah.- Oh, brilliant!
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- How do I do that?- That's a good start. OK, come with me.- Come on.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55That's it. Now you're blending in.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59- Looking good!- I thought you were supposed to see where you were going in these things.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Give us your hand, I can't see anything.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Yeah, yeah. That's OK, don't worry. Let's go, let's go.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09With Adrian now completely blended into the local environment,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12it was time to make friends with some locals or,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15in the case of our first bunch of youngsters,
0:04:15 > 0:04:20a Christian group who have come to Ballycastle on something of a friendship pilgrimage.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Hello, folks, how are you all?
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- Where are you all from?- Lisburn. - Lisburn.- Do you think, so far,
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Ballycastle's proven to be a very friendly place?
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- Oh, yes.- It's nice and bright, sun's out, you know?
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- Am I sticking out here or blending in?- No, you blend in, yeah.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- Blending in, yeah. - We're all different!
0:04:35 > 0:04:38LAUGHTER
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Next, Adrian got all touchy-feely with a couple out for a stroll.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43Do you like Yellowman?
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- Can you buy Yellowman here? You can.- Oh, yeah.- Yeah, yeah.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50- There's a number of outlets. - So you're the Yellowman!- There's one over there.- It's clicking in!
0:04:50 > 0:04:54Yeah. But you've shown me nothing but love and friendship since we've been here.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59- It's lovely to meet you.- It must've been a shock to see me. Yeah, so that's good. Thank you very much.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Some young friends were so excited about being in Ballycastle
0:05:02 > 0:05:05they decided to do a little dance.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- Oh, fantastic! - Well done, girls, that's lovely.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Why do you think we're so friendly?
0:05:10 > 0:05:12Oh, the people's really nice and very welcoming.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14They always say hello in the morning.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Yes. See, the little, simple things sometimes.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18- Yeah.- That's what I've been trying to say to Adrian.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21And, finally, we met a couple of lads who were friends
0:05:21 > 0:05:24across the greatest divide of them all - football.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27So, I can see your badge. Oh, Chelsea?
0:05:27 > 0:05:28Yes, I support Chelsea.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- Both Chelsea fans? - No! Arsenal man.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- Really?- Oh, yes. Arsenal's my team. - Well, how can you be friends, Arsenal and Chelsea?
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- It's love across the divide. - We're just good mates.- What about when you play each other, though?
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- Is there a problem, then? - Well, we shake hands at the end and say we're friends.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- Yes, we shake hands.- Perfect gentlemen, I must say.- We leave it all on the pitch.
0:05:45 > 0:05:46Despite his warm welcome,
0:05:46 > 0:05:50I wasn't completely convinced Adrian was blending in.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51So, knowing he's a fan of bikes,
0:05:51 > 0:05:56I left him with a new pal while I went to get an ice cream.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Have you ever done it in one of these suits? It feels perfect.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- Is there a big sort of friendship community around motorbikes here? - Surely, yes. There is, yes.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05What've we got here, Kawasaki?
0:06:05 > 0:06:06On another day, I'd have a little go on that.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10I'm not brave enough. I'm just too yellow to go now.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13And I'm sure I'd be breaking some motoring laws.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Adrian, I'm really sorry, this was a terrible idea, wasn't it?
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Here, have a poke.
0:06:17 > 0:06:18Apologies.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22I just kind of think we need to go into that heartland of the countryside.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- We need to go greener, basically. - Greener?- Greener, that's what we need.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- No more yellow?- No more yellow. I'm really sorry about that. Come on.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39It was time for Adrian and me to become real friends of the earth
0:06:39 > 0:06:43and so we travelled inland to a place that's so friendly
0:06:43 > 0:06:47that for most of the year it opens its doors to outsiders.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Streamvale Open Farm in County Down
0:07:00 > 0:07:03is Northern Ireland's only open dairy farm.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07If anywhere was to give us a taste of the milk of human kindness,
0:07:07 > 0:07:09it was here.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13First up, we met manager, Chris, and his wife, Helen.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- Hello, you two.- Hello. - So, Streamvale Farm.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I have got to tell you, I've very happy memories coming here.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19It's my family's farm.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22We were originally a dairy farm and it wasn't bringing in enough money,
0:07:22 > 0:07:25so my mum and dad opened it when they were pregnant with me, actually.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30Fruit picking is actually how it started and then it's just developed throughout the years.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34So this is actually probably one of the friendliest farms for various reasons.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- We hope so.- You open your doors to everybody.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- Yeah.- Everyone's welcome. They are sort of part of your lives.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Oh, absolutely, yeah. We get an awful lot of comments on
0:07:42 > 0:07:44our staff being so friendly and welcoming.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- That's a big thing for us. - That's a big, big thing for us.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52There's obviously lots of stuff happening on the farm and children can come. It's very hands-on.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55We try to make it as hands-on as we possibly can with the animals, so...
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- Yeah, and they love it, don't they? - They do.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01More importantly, you two actually met here,
0:08:01 > 0:08:05but you were friends to begin with, so tell us what happened.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09So I actually started off doing tractor rides and stuff like that
0:08:09 > 0:08:11and then worked here for a few years and we...
0:08:11 > 0:08:13He finally plucked up the courage to ask me out.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15We worked alongside each other and then, yeah...
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- How long did it take you to ask her out?- It was over a year, like.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Oh, my God! What kind of date were you offering?
0:08:20 > 0:08:23I took her to a farm shop and bought her lunch!
0:08:23 > 0:08:26It wasn't very original, considering where you met!
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- A bit of a busman's holiday that! - I thought it was very romantic.
0:08:31 > 0:08:32And how many years ago was that now?
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- Six.- Six years ago, yeah. I'm glad you answered that!
0:08:36 > 0:08:40The odd phenomenon is that you started as friends and then got married.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43You still seem to quite like each other, which I find odd.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45A very strange business.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47It's quite unbelievable with the amount of time we spend together!
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- We spend all our time together. - Is this just for the cameras?- Yeah! - Is it murder behind the scenes?
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- Yeah!- First thing in the morning, well, at six o'clock in the morning with the calves...
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- When we're feeding the calves there can be touchy moments! - We can shout at each other!
0:08:58 > 0:08:59LAUGHTER
0:08:59 > 0:09:03It just works, though. Well, you see, I'm out to try and prove an absolute point
0:09:03 > 0:09:08to Mr Chiles here that we here in Northern Ireland are the friendliest,
0:09:08 > 0:09:10but what are your thoughts on that?
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- Definitely.- Yeah, by far.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Unbelievable. Like, whenever I go across to anywhere
0:09:14 > 0:09:18I find it so weird how unfriendly they are towards each other.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Like, well, I guess, obviously being in the country even more so,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24it's even more friendly than in town, but even in our town it's friendly.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Yeah. And we live just beside a village, Gilnahirk,
0:09:27 > 0:09:32- and all of us help each other and work together and... - Any time the cows get out...
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- The cows get out, yeah. - ..everyone's on hand to help. - They give us a hand, yeah.
0:09:35 > 0:09:41Chris and Helen were living proof there's something special about our rural relationships.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Adrian, though, wanted to put their commitment to country life to the test.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47I come from a place called Birmingham, have you heard of it?
0:09:47 > 0:09:49Er, where Peaky Blinders were from?
0:09:49 > 0:09:51That's right, yeah.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Magnificent place, unbelievably friendly people.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57So friendly. Telly Savalas, Kojak - he loved my city so much,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59he came and did a promotional video of it,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03just pointing up the friendliness of the city, the friendliest of the friendly.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- I'd like you to watch the film with us, will you do that? - Yep. Go for it, yeah.- OK.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- TELLY SAVALAS:- Riding the express elevator to the top of one of the city's highest buildings,
0:10:15 > 0:10:18this is the view that nearly took my breath away.
0:10:19 > 0:10:20I found the city exciting.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22DISCO MUSIC PLAYS
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Is there much disco dancing round here?
0:10:29 > 0:10:30Er, no.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32This is Mrs Taylor.
0:10:32 > 0:10:33I'm sure somebody loves you, baby!
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- I should have gone there on my stag do! - LAUGHTER
0:10:37 > 0:10:41A thousand years ago, this was thick forest with no-one living there.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45A thousand years ago, it was just forest, as Telly so insightfully said.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49Now, concreted over, big city, ultra-friendly.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Yes, it's my kind of town.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55So, so long, Birmingham! Here's looking at you!
0:10:55 > 0:10:58So there you have it. You're shocked in admiration, I can see.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00What's that line from that show around here?
0:11:00 > 0:11:05- Your place or mine? - So, your place or mine?
0:11:05 > 0:11:07DRUM ROLL
0:11:07 > 0:11:12- Ours.- Definitely ours. Yep. - Absolutely. No contest!
0:11:12 > 0:11:15I'm just going to go and strangle that cockerel!
0:11:15 > 0:11:19Even a lolly-licking detective wasn't enough to convince Chris and Helen
0:11:19 > 0:11:21life would be sweeter in the city.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27It was clear there was something special in the country air.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31Strolling around, there were happy, smiling faces everywhere.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35But it wasn't just humans that appeared to be on friendly terms with each other.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38WHISTLE
0:11:38 > 0:11:39Stan, come.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48Working dogs Bill and Harry live with 15-year-old owner Shannon.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52The trio's sheep-herding skills have placed them at the top of their field.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- There you are, Shannon, that's for you.- Thank you. - Huge congratulations.
0:11:56 > 0:12:02But it's their relationship off the field that's proof dogs really can be man, or girl's, best friend.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Up, up, up, up! Good boy! Good boy!
0:12:06 > 0:12:08So, Shannon, thank you so much for having us.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12Loving these two. Now, introduce us to them. Now, who's this, firstly?
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- This is Harry.- This is Harry. And this is...?- Bill.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Bill. Bill, OK. And look at them.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19You're just wanting a bit of love!
0:12:19 > 0:12:22I'm spooking Harry at the moment!
0:12:22 > 0:12:24I'm not as bad as I look! Christine'll explain.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Erm, how long have you had both Bill and Harry for?
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Erm, I've had Bill for five years now.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33I got him at Christmas, so I did.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36And Harry, I've had him for three years.
0:12:36 > 0:12:42But my bond would actually be stronger with Harry because I got him when he was younger.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- Don't listen to this! Cover your ears up. - LAUGHTER
0:12:45 > 0:12:47He doesn't need to hear that. Honestly.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51Cos when I got Harry, he was young, so he was just, like, gullible,
0:12:51 > 0:12:53if you know what I mean. He wanted a friend.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55- Yes, yeah.- And me and him just clicked, like.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59There's a very tight bond, actually, between you and Harry and Bill.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02The relationship with the dogs is just unbelievable,
0:13:02 > 0:13:03just the bond between youse.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06You just know what each other's thinking.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10If I come home and I have a bad day at school, first thing I do, go in, get changed...
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- Yeah.- And go out with the dogs and just go out and train with them.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15And it gets me in a good mood after that.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Would you find that almost more therapeutic than phoning one of your mates from school?
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Yes, I actually would, because for some reason
0:13:21 > 0:13:23it seems like they're listening to you.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- Mmm.- But they don't speak back, I suppose, but they listen.
0:13:26 > 0:13:27- That helps!- It helps!
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- Do they do your homework for you as well, if you can't manage that? - I wish, I wish!
0:13:31 > 0:13:33They're smart enough, though, aren't they?
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- They're smart, yeah.- So you're not any old sheepdog handler,
0:13:36 > 0:13:38- you're a champion.- Yes, in terms.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42That's brilliant. So what are you champion of, what's your title?
0:13:42 > 0:13:44One Man and His Dog 2015.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49Right. I've spotted a flaw there. Sexist title.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- Plainly.- I agree.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53One Person and Their Dog, surely?
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- Yes, I agree. - Nice pace, nice control.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- Bill's on the case.- Stand.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- Stand.- Steady, steady, steady.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06And in they go.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08APPLAUSE
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Well done! What a performance that was!
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Do you get nervous before them, the big...?
0:14:13 > 0:14:17The big competitions, yes, I get nervous, but the dogs can sense you.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21I was going to say, do you feel it in them, that they know that there's something happening?
0:14:21 > 0:14:24They sense that you're nervous because they start to get shaking and everything.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27They can tell when you're nervous when you have the bond with them.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31So, Shannon, I'm out to prove a point to this man here that
0:14:31 > 0:14:35the Northern Irish countryside is the friendliest in the country.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38So, can you tell me, do you think our dogs are just as friendly?
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- Do you think they're up there with the top?- Of course, above them.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- Above them all?- I think they'd be above them.- Really?
0:14:42 > 0:14:44- The dogs are friendlier than anywhere else?- Oh, yes.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47See, and she knows, she knows! She's a champion dog handler!
0:14:47 > 0:14:48This is maximum friendliness.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52You're going to explode with friendliness and all float away. You're going to burst.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55You're going to hurt yourselves with friendliness.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02With Harry finding as good a pal as Shannon,
0:15:02 > 0:15:07he was the perfect pooch to settle a running dispute Adrian and I had been having -
0:15:07 > 0:15:09just who is friendlier?
0:15:09 > 0:15:10We walk away.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Ten paces.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15We turn round, we call the dog,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18the dog comes to the friendliest of the two of us, OK?
0:15:18 > 0:15:19OK, got it.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Ready? Go.
0:15:25 > 0:15:31SPAGHETTI WESTERN STYLE MUSIC
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- Harry, Harry, come here! Come here!- Harry! Come, Harry!
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- Come on, Harry!- Come on, Harry! Come on!
0:15:53 > 0:15:55Come on, Harry, Harry, come on!
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Harry! Come here! Come on!
0:15:57 > 0:16:01Ah! Come on, Harry!
0:16:01 > 0:16:02Come here! Harry!
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Harry! Harry!
0:16:18 > 0:16:21So, sorry about that. There was one clear winner, wasn't there?
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Don't go on about it.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Aside from that, though, are you feeling the effects of the friendliness
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- here in the countryside?- I take your point with fields like this
0:16:29 > 0:16:32but there's one kind of field I'm more interested in.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34That's the sports field.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36More suited to my kind of skill set.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39I see the great individuals of Northern Irish sport -
0:16:39 > 0:16:43Carl Frampton, Joey Dunlop, Rory McIlroy and so on -
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- but these are individual titans. - Yeah.- Where's the team effort?
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Where's the friendship, the community?
0:16:48 > 0:16:50I'm more into, sort of, team sports, community.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53All right, you should have said so, I can sort that.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54Right, come with me.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57SHE WHISTLES Come on, Adrian!
0:17:03 > 0:17:09Obviously Adrian was talking snooker, golf, even footballs.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13So, it was time to introduce him to a traditional Irish team sport
0:17:13 > 0:17:17with a level of intensity he'd only ever dreamed of.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Nestled at the foot of the Sperrins,
0:17:20 > 0:17:25the Robert Emmett's Gaelic Club has only 300 nearby families to pick its
0:17:25 > 0:17:29players from. Last year, though, the club achieved the unthinkable,
0:17:29 > 0:17:33scooping all three Ulster Club Championship titles.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36If one place did camaraderie, it was here.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38While the lads finished their training session,
0:17:38 > 0:17:42we met up with club chairman, Sean, in the trophy room.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Sean, thank you so much for inviting us up.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48We are clearly in the presence of champions here.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49What's all this about, then?
0:17:49 > 0:17:54We won our own County Championships in hurling, football and camogie,
0:17:54 > 0:17:58and we won Ulster as well. To have won Ulster is,
0:17:58 > 0:18:02on the three codes, is something very big for a club this size.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04And you're right in the middle of nowhere here, aren't you?
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Yeah, that's true, yeah. As you can see, there's nothing else to do.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12It's a community ethos around here all the time
0:18:12 > 0:18:15and it drives the people to the pitch and they come in their droves.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Our club is very successful at the minute and it's due to a lot of
0:18:19 > 0:18:21commitment and a good bunch of girls and fellas
0:18:21 > 0:18:25that came along at the one time and have been very successful.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- Can I just hold one?- Yeah.- Even though I haven't earned the right of winning it.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- Hang on a bit.- And that's the All-Ireland...
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- Well done!- Senior camogie title. - Yeah.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36This is shaped more like a 1970s champagne flute, isn't it?
0:18:36 > 0:18:38LAUGHTER
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- I think I should hold that one. - Yeah, go on, you have that one. - Yeah, I'll do that one.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44You could fill that with Babycham, that's what that needs.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Next, it was time to meet the champions in their dressing room.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51First, though, I had a word of warning for Adrian.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53OK, so, Adrian, try and behave yourself here, OK?
0:18:53 > 0:18:56You're not dealing with your prima donna Premiership players here today.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58You're dealing with proper, hearty countrymen...
0:18:58 > 0:19:00- OK.- They're passionate about their sport, OK?
0:19:00 > 0:19:01They're here to do business.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04If you sense that I'm about to say something stupid, just give me a kick.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- All right?- Oh, dear! - You know, the usual.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11Adrian wasted no time wrapping his hands round a stick...
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Oh, I can feel the history in this!
0:19:14 > 0:19:16..much to the amusement of the lads.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Do all of you fellas have the same length sticks,
0:19:18 > 0:19:20or are some longer than others?
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- Erm... - LAUGHTER
0:19:22 > 0:19:24No, usually, the taller people use taller sticks.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28- And what are you? Are you a 33, 34? - I'm a 34.- You're a 34.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- Anyone got longer than a 34? - Owen's 40, I think.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33- A 40?!- Aye.- Oh, he's the man! - LAUGHTER
0:19:33 > 0:19:36I mean, look at the length of his stick.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- Look at the way he's holding it! - That's magnificent!
0:19:39 > 0:19:41LAUGHTER
0:19:42 > 0:19:44So, Chris, you're the captain.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47- Yeah.- What do you think the secret of the success of this club is,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49what's it all based around?
0:19:49 > 0:19:53It's based on a good sense of humour, as you can see already.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58But probably the thing that sets us apart is our bond and how well
0:19:58 > 0:20:01the boys get on when it comes to the pitch
0:20:01 > 0:20:04and when the tough times come, there is that cohesiveness.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Does the great sport grow out of the friendship,
0:20:06 > 0:20:10or does the friendship grow out of the fact that you're doing well?
0:20:10 > 0:20:14Probably a bit of both but I think what the GAA is all about
0:20:14 > 0:20:16is about that community spirit.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Somebody must break their arm in every game, as far as I can see.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22You put your hand in... I couldn't bear to look.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23So, the ball is on the floor,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26somebody puts their hand in and there's 20 loonies hitting it with sticks!
0:20:26 > 0:20:28I mean, that's not very friendly, is it?
0:20:28 > 0:20:31No, usually if you are well-coached and things like that,
0:20:31 > 0:20:33you learn how to protect yourself and stuff like that.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37But usually we wouldn't have many injuries anyway, thank God.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42So, Chris, Adrian kind of believes that Northern Ireland is particularly good
0:20:42 > 0:20:45with, like, a single sort of man's sport, you've got your golf with Rory,
0:20:45 > 0:20:47you've got snooker and all the rest of it.
0:20:47 > 0:20:52The group sports thing he's not convinced on. What would you say to that?
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Well, there's only one way to convince him.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- Let's show him.- All right. - ALL JEER
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- There's a challenge! - I've used one of these before.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- Roy Keane took me to the... - He's name-dropping now, boys!
0:21:03 > 0:21:05LAUGHTER
0:21:05 > 0:21:08He took me to the semifinal of the All-Ireland and I thought it was brilliant.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Then I went round to his house and he got a couple of sticks out
0:21:11 > 0:21:13and I'd texted him, I said I was playing today,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16and I said, "Look, I should be all right after the lesson you gave me".
0:21:16 > 0:21:20And he said, "You might find it more difficult if you're playing against
0:21:20 > 0:21:23"guys who want to take your head off!"
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Come on, let's do it. Let's do this thing.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30After a quick change and an even quicker explanation of the rules,
0:21:30 > 0:21:33it was time for Chiles to make his hurling debut.
0:21:45 > 0:21:46Oh, dear.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58He's trying his best but the ball is basically just too fast for him!
0:21:58 > 0:22:01I sort of do feel a tiny bit sorry for him here!
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Can I stop it with the thing?
0:22:06 > 0:22:07He caught it! He did catch it!
0:22:09 > 0:22:10Oh!
0:22:10 > 0:22:14That was actually not a bad attempt!
0:22:14 > 0:22:18See, I'm beginning to think that this team sport thing is very good for Adrian
0:22:18 > 0:22:21because he talks about sport all day, every day.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23He's a perfect spectator, but doesn't actually do any.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Oh! You see, he's getting better.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34CHEERING
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Isn't that lovely? He's actually made some new friends!
0:22:50 > 0:22:53After all that action, it was only fair, I thought,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57to treat Adrian to a form of hospitality I was sure he'd appreciate -
0:22:57 > 0:23:01the kind served up by a traditional country pub, in a glass.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06- HE SIGHS CONTENTEDLY - I tell you what, I need this.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08All day being nice to people - exhausting.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12I mean, this is the root of all friendship, isn't it?
0:23:12 > 0:23:14In these parts.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18Are you trying to say that we're friendly here in Northern Ireland
0:23:18 > 0:23:19because we drink a lot?
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Well, I mean, it helps, but no, I'm not saying that.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24You know we are capable of being friends...
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- If you say so.- ..with no booze involved.
0:23:26 > 0:23:27I'm going to prove it.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30- Just let me finish that. - No, let me prove a point, OK?
0:23:30 > 0:23:31I'm going to leave this to one side,
0:23:31 > 0:23:35I'll prove we don't need that to have fun and be friendly with one another, OK?
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- So I've got to leave that there? - You've got to leave it. I know it's difficult.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40- Let me just touch it. - Trust me, come on.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Just down the road lay a spot where the alcohol
0:23:52 > 0:23:56doesn't need to be flowing to keep the good times going.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Friday nights are country night at the Bannville House Hotel near
0:23:59 > 0:24:05Banbridge, when up to 600 people will strut their stuff to DJs and live music.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08One rule, however, is sacrosanct -
0:24:08 > 0:24:13absolutely no drinks are allowed on the dance floor at any time.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16But why would they be? Everyone needs two hands free in this place.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20# So rock me, Mama, like a wagon wheel
0:24:20 > 0:24:23# Rock me Mama anyway you feel
0:24:23 > 0:24:27# A-hey, yeah, yeah, Mama rock me. #
0:24:27 > 0:24:30I wasn't convinced Adrian was quite getting the appeal,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34so we pulled some jivers off the floor for a friendly chat.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37So, ladies, how have you two become friends?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40We come here one night to one of the dances here
0:24:40 > 0:24:42and we sort of just met that night.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Then we arranged different nights out after that.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48So, country music is now the backbone, almost, of your friendship?
0:24:48 > 0:24:50- That's the glue, is it?- We've been so many places together.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54We've been north and south of Ireland and England.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58Taking a break from the dance floor next were Mary and the pals she made
0:24:58 > 0:25:00at a difficult time in her life.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04In 2015, I lost my husband to cancer,
0:25:04 > 0:25:06so, then, about a year and a half after that,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09I was feeling quite lonely and getting a wee bit down,
0:25:09 > 0:25:16so my sister Lorraine told me about Robert's line dancing classes.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20So I came and then I met Julie, I met Liz
0:25:20 > 0:25:24and a few weeks later I became friends with Emma and with Ian
0:25:24 > 0:25:27and it just really has been...
0:25:27 > 0:25:30It's been very good for me, personally.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Is it friendship because they're country music fans,
0:25:32 > 0:25:34or friendship because they are Northern Ireland,
0:25:34 > 0:25:36or a heady combination of the two?
0:25:36 > 0:25:38I would say it would be a combination of both.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Cos Northern Ireland people are very, very friendly.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44WOMAN ON DANCE FLOOR WHOOPS LAUGHTER
0:25:44 > 0:25:48She's so friendly, she is overheating with friendship,
0:25:48 > 0:25:50she's having to use a fan to calm herself down!
0:25:50 > 0:25:55Finally it was time to meet the man who puts the pep in his class's steps.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Don of the dance floor, Robert.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02You're the facilitator of friendship on this dance floor.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Yes, well, I've been taking jiving lessons here for three years or so,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08so a lot of them have become friends at the lessons
0:26:08 > 0:26:10and then they come here on the Friday nights at the dances
0:26:10 > 0:26:13and then they all come together and have a great night.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Our lesson ends here at half nine but we're never out the door at half nine,
0:26:15 > 0:26:17we're always here till about half ten, 11.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19- Really?- Dancing away, still.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Then we go to McDonald's as friends and have a great night there as well.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24It's right across the board age-wise, I think,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26which is a big thing.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Yes, well, I think there was a generation gap.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31My granny and granda were great dancers, went to the dances,
0:26:31 > 0:26:35and then after that my mum and dad didn't.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37And now it is coming back into my age, my age is going out and
0:26:37 > 0:26:41learning and they're going out every weekend and dancing at the country nights.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45And dancing the night away without a drop of Dutch courage.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48There's no alcohol involved in nights like this for you?
0:26:48 > 0:26:49- No.- Why not?- We don't need it.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52We don't need alcohol for a good night out.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Years ago I would have gone to nightclubs and things like that,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57when you would have had a drink at nightclubs and whatever.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- You would have needed it! - LAUGHTER
0:27:00 > 0:27:04But in country music, is there something about the rhythm that you just get high on it?
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- But you really like it, don't you? - Just a wee bit.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09"Thank God for country music."
0:27:09 > 0:27:12He thought he needed pints, I told him he didn't.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15I'm going to stick this round you there. That's it, OK?
0:27:16 > 0:27:20This place was just oozing the sort of welcoming and friendly vibe
0:27:20 > 0:27:25I'm genuinely not sure you'd find in the big city. Well, not these days.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27But had it passed the Adrian test?
0:27:27 > 0:27:28Well, you be the judge.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31# Well, I don't mind if I ain't got time
0:27:31 > 0:27:33# But that don't bother me
0:27:33 > 0:27:36# I'm a hillbilly girl in a hillbilly world
0:27:36 > 0:27:38# And that don't bother me
0:27:38 > 0:27:40# Well, I ain't that bright But I know what's right
0:27:40 > 0:27:43# From mistakes and my colour TV
0:27:43 > 0:27:47# I don't care if I lose my hair Cos I'm living happily
0:27:47 > 0:27:52# I don't care if I lose my hair Cos I'm living happily. #
0:27:52 > 0:27:53So, Adrian, tell me,
0:27:53 > 0:27:57just how friendly do you think the Northern Irish countryside is?
0:27:57 > 0:27:58Immensely friendly, Christine.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00In fact, big fan(!)
0:28:01 > 0:28:02I like it! I like it!
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- We've just got one last leg of this tour, you know...- OK.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07..to prove to you just how friendly we are.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10- Where are you taking me next?- I'm going to take you into the future.
0:28:10 > 0:28:11We're talking about friendship in the future.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15- OK.- It's an interesting one. But you know what, I think you deserve this.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19- You did well today.- You can say that again.- You did well today.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21Isn't that good? Do you fancy one more dance?
0:28:21 > 0:28:23- Yes, come on, let's do it. - Well done!
0:28:23 > 0:28:27- Let's do it.- Did I look stupid? - No, of course you didn't.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29- I felt stupid.- I mean, not any more than normal.
0:28:29 > 0:28:34# I've got friends in low places
0:28:34 > 0:28:40# Where the whisky drowns And the beer chases my blues away
0:28:42 > 0:28:47# And I'll be OK
0:28:47 > 0:28:51# Well, I'm not big on social graces
0:28:51 > 0:28:55# Think I'll slip on down to the oasis...#