Harvard Students research trip to Raphoe

26 March 2019

The Agency welcomed a group of Harvard University students to our regional office in Raphoe, East Donegal on Tuesday 26th March.

Professor Niall Kirkwood, Assistant Professor Gareth Doherty and 12 students from the Harvard Graduate School of Design paid a visit to the centre to find out more about Ulster-Scots history, culture and language.

On hand to help them with their research was Derek Reaney, Community Development Officer and Gary Blair, Education Officer.

Speaking about this visit, Derek Reaney commented; "Last Autumn both Professor Niall Kirwood and Assistant Professor Gareth Doherty came to our office in Raphoe and expressed a keen interest in bringing a group of students to East Donegal. We are delighted to have been able to host this visit at Discover Ulster-Scots Centre, Raphoe and have the opportunity to speak to these students who were very interested in Ulster-Scots language and culture and in particular how the Ulster-Scots shaped the landscape and architecture of the region.

He continued; "A group of these students also attended one of our weekly Scottish Country Dance classes at the Discover-Ulster Scots Centre. This provided them with a great opportunity to talk to local Ulster-Scots from across East Donegal while also having a bit of fun taking part in this great dance class."