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The Jolly Rooks Festival Hillsborough

30 August 2016

The Jolly Rooks Festival Hillsborough, runs over the period 9th to 18th September.

This new festival for Hillsborough promoted by the Downshire Ulster Scots Society, with support from The Ulster Scots Agency takes as its focus European Heritage Open Days weekend and wraps around that, and the following Friday 16th ‘Culture Night’ a series of music, culture, arts and local history events and activities with a strong hint of Ulster Scots.

The Jolly Rooks Festival Hillsborough encourages the public to come along to explore the many heritage buildings that will be open for European Heritage Open Days on the 10th and 11th September.

Also on offer is a range of arts, cultural and heritage events being promoted in the beautiful places and spaces that give this Georgian Village its wonderful charm and atmosphere. 

Feel free to pop along and explore the village churches, castle and parks, or take time to browse the local history exhibitions on display in The Sexton’s House and The Fort.  You’ll not have to meander far to find a cosy coffee shop, pub or restaurant, with lots of breads and treats to choose from; September being ‘Bread & Baking Month’ in this NI Year of Food & Drink 2016.  Music, arts and culture are also on the menu from the 9th to the 18th September with a hint of Ulster Scots in the form of Bluegrass music, a serving of theatrical performance and a sprinkling of musicians performing in venues across the village over the two festival weekends.

For full festival listing check out the website at http://ulsterscotsagency.com/events/event/750/jolly-rooks-festival-hillsborough/ or see the social media channels at - 

FACEBOOK Jolly Rooks Festival Hillsborough or follow on on Twitter @jolly rooks for regular updates.

Pictured with the Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh Council, Cllr Brian Bloomfield at the launch of The Jolly Rooks Festival Hillsborough is Alan Frazer, Chairman of Downshire Ulster Scots Society, as festival promoter.  Also included are Cllr Alan Givan, representing LCCC Leisure & Community Services Committee and Catriona Holmes from The Ulster Scots Agency plus Amanda Stanfield and Charlie Diett, Downshire Ulster Scots Society.