Recognition for George

North Down musician George Holmes, director of culture and deputy chief  executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency, was honoured at last month's  Armagh Festival of Traditional and Folk Song for his outstanding contribution to the song and traditional music of the country.

 George, from Donaghadee, plays many instruments including banjo, dulcimer, flute and percussion - mainly Lambeg, bodhran and Latin American - and he has been a force for traditional music awareness for many years. 

 

He was presented at the Charlemont Hotel, Armagh, at the "Keepers of the Tradition" reception with a special framed scroll depicting his special contribution to the music and song of the people.

George Holmes receives his award from Janice McAleese,
chief executive, Northern Ireland Events Company.

Under the Festival theme, "Unity through Song", George was honoured along with six other people including the Irish balladeer Eileen Donaghy, Dutch traditional singer Martin Kaal,  Glasgow folk singer Jackie Kane, Irish American singer Eugene Byrne, well known Ulster-Scots singer Elizabeth McLeister from Cullybackey and  Neil Johnston of the Belfast Telegraph for 25 years coverage of the song and music tradition.

 George is a principal soloist with the Belfast Harp Orchestra, a cross-cultural group that has played throughout the world and was recently created a Fellow of the International Peace School in Messines, Belgium, in recognition of his work in peace and reconciliation through music.  He was also made a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland for his contribution to music.