08-05-2025
From proud Billy Boy to devout Catholic... so, is Northern Ireland ready to accept JD Vance as one of its own?
Did you know that the term 'hillbilly' emanates from these shores? The 'Billy' bit requires little explanation, referring to Ulster Scot Protestants beholden to William of Orange.
The 'hill', however, alludes not to Stormont but to the Appalachian Mountains, where so many folk from here ultimately settled centuries ago. They became known in America as Billys, Billy Boys and, ultimately, Hillbillies.
