Agency promotes Ulster-Scots in Savannah, Georgia

22 March 2019

The Ulster-Scots Agency recently supported the Omagh Protestant Boys Melody Flute Band in appearing at the Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah, Georgia.

The St Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah, Georgia is the second largest in the USA attracting almost one million people to watch the 3 mile parade in the city.

The Parade Committee requested an Ulster based marching band that represented the Ulster-Scots tradition and the Ulster-Scots Agency worked with the Northern Ireland Bureau, and The Irish Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs to make this trip possible.

The Omagh Protestant Boys Melody Flute Band travelled to Savannah, Georgia on 13^th March for a number of engagements in the city, including a Military Parade, a performance for the Mayor at a city centre reception, the St Patrick’s Day Parade and a performance for the St Andrews Society of Savannah.

Richard Hanna, Director of Education and Language in the Ulster Scots Agency said; ‘There was an enormous amount of planning involved in this tour with more than 30 people travelling. As well as the logistics, it was important that we organised high profile engagements which allowed the band opportunities to perform to a wide range of audiences’.

The St Patrick’s Day Parade kicked off at 10.30am and the band received a tremendous welcome from the parade committee, others participating in the parade as well as the public that lined the streets and cheered the band along the entirety of the route.

There were huge numbers of people in the city. Spirits were high and there was a carnival yet family atmosphere with St Patrick’s celebrations taking place in a lively and dignified way.

Richard Hanna added; ‘It was great to see so much cultural diversity represented at a St Patrick’s Day celebration, with bands from High Schools, Police Forces, The Armed Forces and of course the Ulster-Scots tradition represented by the Omagh Protestant Boys Melody Flute Band.’

To view a range of videos from the trip visit www.vimeo.com/album/5855241