Na Bopíní / The Bops

Nestled on the side of Belfast’s Cave Hill in a parallel world invisible to the naked eye to nearly all except the most exceptional of children, live the Bops.

No one knows what they are or where they came from, but it is believed they have lived here since forever, even before your gran’s great great great gran was the gran of a gran.

It has been said over the years, locals have glimpsed  them from the corner of their eye immediately dismissing the sight in disbelief thinking it was just their imagination. Then, they would just go on about their day too embarrassed to mention what they saw for fear of being called crazy. The Bops are said to be small and curious with white fluffy fur, great big black noses and take great pride in trying to out-do each other by wearing the most outlandish of wooly jumpers.

They can be as big as a child of about three or four, but some are a tiny little bit bigger while others are a great big bit smaller. But absolutely never smaller than a red squirrel. So if you are ever taking a walk on that hill, keep your eyes peeled as you might just be lucky enough to spot one.

And t it’s no good trying to catch it, however fast you try, because once spotted, it’ll disappear in a flash then you will doubt if you even saw it at all. Although they have been said to have been spotted around Cave Hill, they only pop in and out of our world in the most extreme of circumstances.

No, The Bops for the most part, exist in a parallel mythical, mystical land called Tillansia. They are kind and gentle and spend much of their time in the pursuit of helping others.

‘Real do-gooders doing good as real do-gooders should!’

’A very special young Bop is called Bicí or Bicí Bop. Bicí lives in Tillansia in a sky house on the side of a mythical misty mountain, at the edge of an enchanted forest, in the shadow of a giant’s nose, just beside the mysterious castle overseen by the Royal throne. Bicí is the kindest of Bops and I should know because he is my friend. My name is Rían, I live just below the Cave Hill and one day, not so long ago, I was able to help a Bop!’