Success for Ulster-Scots Showcasing

04 June 2014

Ulster-Scots cultural traditions were recently showcased at two major festivals – the Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival and the Northern Ireland Countryside Festival. Both events were a huge success.

The Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival took place on Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th May 2014 at Titanic’s Dry Dock and Pump-House, Titanic Quarter, Belfast.

The three-day programme of Ulster-Scots activities included performances by traditional Ulster-Scots group, Chanter and the Ulster-Scots Agency Juvenile Pipe Band, displays of Highland Dance by Bright Lights, display of Lambeg drumming by the Lagan Village Lambeg Drummers, maritime themed craft workshops, face painting and display of living history (famous Ulster-Scots maritime characters).  The Ulster-Scots activity complimented the activities taking place throughout the remainder of Titanic Quarter.

Also as part of the festival, on Saturday 24th May, the Ulster-Scots Agency and Northern Ireland Science Park officially launched the Ulster-Scots Innovators Gallery in the Thompson Dry Dock.  The Ulster-Scots Innovators Gallery will remain on permanent display in the Thompson Dry Dock – visit Titanic’s Dry Dock and Pump-House at the Northern Ireland Science Park, Queens Rd, Queen's Island, Belfast BT3 9DT. Visit www.titanicsdock.com for further information.

The Northern Ireland Countryside Festival took place on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June 2014 at Balmoral Park, Lisburn.

The Ulster-Scots Agency had a marquee at the festival with a programme of Ulster-Scots entertainment including Ulster-Scots music by Risin’ Stour, Chanter, the Down and Out Bluegrass Band and the Ulster-Scots Agency Juvenile Pipe Band, dancing displays by the Michelle Johnston School of Highland Dance, a cookery demonstration of traditional soda and potato bread and displays of living history (The Bruces).