Maintaining the Ulster links with America

An Ulster-Scots Society of America has been established last month in the United States.

The Society is primarily an educational and social organisation committed to the promotion of the Ulster-Scots heritage.

It will focus especially on the culture and history of the nearly quarter of a million immigrants who left Ulster during the 18th century and settled in America in the Great Migration.

The majority of these immigrants were descendants of Lowland/Border Scots and Northern English who had settled in Ulster four generations earlier but some native Irish came as well. They sought to carve out of the American wilderness a better life for themselves and their families. In the process, they helped establish and build America.

Once in America, these immigrants came to be known as the Scotch-Irish or Scots-Irish. In the British Isles they are more commonly referred to as Ulster-Scots. Today, nearly 22 million Americans can trace the roots of at least one family member to these hardy settlers from the north of Ireland.

The Ulster-Society of America is strictly non-sectarian and non-political. It has no religious affiliation and does not promote involvement in any political activities. The Society encourages its membership across the country, in each particular locale, to gather together on a regular basis to collectively pursue the goals of the organisation through active participation in family-oriented social activities, educational activities and special cultural events.

When sufficient numbers are present in a particular locale, a regional representative from among their number will be recruited to help co-ordinate those efforts which could eventually lead to the formation of a formally chartered regional chapter.

Members are encouraged to represent the Society at local cultural events such as Scottish Highland games, Celtic Festivals, Irish and Scotch-Irish Festivals and parades. All members of the Society regardless of their particular location are welcomed to attend the greater Raleigh area meetings and encouraged to do so when practical.

Membership is open to anyone interested in establishing and promoting the Society.  Membership dues are: individual: - 15 dollars and family: - 20 dollars. Completed applications and dues can be mailed to the Ulster-Scots Society of America, c/o Paul Smallwood, at email: ulstermen@yahoo.com, telephone: 919-380-0383 or mail: 105 Arrowhead Way, Cary, North Carolina, 27513.

Meanwhile, the Ulster-Scots Agency has been encouraged by receiving its first application for financial assistance from Co Leitrim.  The Killegar Ulster-Scots Group has applied for support funding for a range of projects over the coming year. 

Agency chairman Lord Laird said: "While we have received applications from counties Donegal and Monaghan, it's encouraging to see this from a very proactive cultural group in Connaught."

Caption

The winners of the first locally organised Highland Dance competition held on June 28 at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, attended by more than 90 dancers. From left is: Eilidh McArthur, Isle of Bute; Georgina Kee, Sollus Highland Dancers, Bready; Michele Burns, Laura Gregory School of Dance, Newry; Amanda Bignall, London; Kimberley Martin, Paisley, Fiona Murdoch, Stranraer; Natalie Henry, Stranraer; Alana Wright, Bright Lights, Belfast;  Demi Connor, Sollus, Bready.