The Good Relations Team at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council hosted a range of events and activities to mark Ulster Scots Language Week.
The week of activities, which took place 25-29 November 2024, included a Talk and Yarns with Alan Millar, Charlie Gillan and Ivor Wallace in the FUSE Centre in Ballymoney on Monday.
On Tuesday evening Anne McMaster and Aileen McCahon gave a talk on Ulster Scots in Kilrea with Scad the Beggars and Kilrea Pipe Band providing songs and tunes to finish the evening. Noel McQuillan from Kilrea Ulster Scots Group said: “Over fifty people enjoyed a tremendous evening of Ulster Scots stories and poems from local writers Anne McMaster and Aileen McCahon. We were delighted to have great music from Dick Glasgow and Friends and Kilrea Pipe Band. The comments after the event highlighted how much the audience enjoyed the evening.”
St Brigid’s Primary School in Ballymoney hosted pupils from Garryduff Primary School on Wednesday 27 November as renowned writer and poet, Robert Cambell, facilitated A Dander Through Narnia, weaving together readings from the books, original Ulster-Scots poetry, and evocative illustrations into one magical workshop. Leona Campbell from St Brigid’s Primary School said: “It was lovely to host Garryduff P5 children also. The children were intrigued by the familiar stories of Narnia being read to them in a particularly unfamiliar way, using Ulster Scots words and terminology. They particularly enjoyed the quiz and translation games at the end.”
On Thursday of Leid Week, Ballynarrig Cultural Group presented a ween of stories and poems with Anne McMaster and Aileen McCahon entertaining the crowds. The evening ended with music from Bellarena Accordion Band and pipes and drum.
The week’s celebrations concluded with St Olcan’s Primary School in Armoy welcoming Armoy Primary School to the A Dander Through Narnia workshop.
Gerard McIlroy, Good Relations Officer at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said: “As part of our Hear Here project, we were pleased to run these events to mark Ulster Scots Week. The Hear Here project aims to promote the use of the Ulster-Scots language across the borough. It’s clear from the events held that there is a real wealth of talent across the Borough.”
The events received financial support from The Executive Office as part of the District Councils Good Relations Programme and supports the T:BUC strategy (Together Building a United Community).