Alan’s North Coast Tales!

In Alan’s North Coast Tales’, starting on BBC Radio Ulster on Sunday, July 27 at 1.05pm, Alan takes listeners on a tour of the north coast to visit the people and places that make that part of the world so special for him.

As thousands descend upon the north coast area for the summer holiday season, Alan tells of his affection for the area and shares his own insights and experiences of the towns he loves so well.

Born in Ballymoney, Alan’s family moved to Coleraine when he was nine-years old, before – in his own words – “emigrating” to Portrush. Alan has been passionate about the town and its surrounding coastline ever since. Indeed, Alan can be seen on his stand up paddle board off the West Strand in Portrush 365 days of the year - rain, hail or shine.

It is only fitting then that Alan’s hometown of Portrush is the focus of the first programme in the series. In this programme, Alan travels by boat, paddleboard and even a ghost train to bring listeners the sights and sounds of the town, including Barry’s, the beach and the harbour.

Over the four weeks of the series, Alan also travels to Coleraine, where he meets a parrot which is the talk of the town; Portstewart, where he hears about holiday makers in bygone days; and Ballycastle, home of Yellowman and the Auld Lammas Fair.

Alan’s North Coast Tales’ captures some of the big north coast moments of this summer, including the announcement that the Open Golf tournament is to be held at Royal Portrush, and a visit by the Queen to Coleraine.

Alan says: “It’s no secret that I love the north coast but this series will reinforce the fact and we will also hear from those who share my passion for this world famous coastline.”

Alan’s North Coast Tales’ starts on BBC Radio Ulster on Sunday 27 July at 1.05pm and is repeated on Thursdays at 7.30pm.