Community Quilt

Plantation to Partition Opening Event

Plantation to Partition is an exciting PEACE III programme which will examine how key historical events have shaped our cultural identities and our shared heritage. This is a collaborative partnership programme with Derry City Council, Strabane District Council, Omagh District Council and Donegal County Council. The programme explores this 400 year period and its legacy in a cross community/cross border capacity. It aims to promote shared use of spaces and resources as a means of developing an understanding of our shared heritage, promote dialogue on our cultural identity and lead to a deeper awareness of our cultural identities and ensure a lasting legacy beyond 2013.

A facilitated programme of workshops will take place across the Derry City Council, Strabane District Council, Omagh District Council and Donegal County Council areas. It will explore the historical context and legacy of the following key events: • Plantation (400th anniversary in 2013); • Emigration (legacy and impacts today); • Partition (legacy and anniversaries of Ulster Covenant 1912, • Easter Rising 1916, Civil War 1919-20; and Treaty/ Partition 1921). • Battle of the Somme 1916 • Irish Cultural Revival

There will be an innovative and interactive cross-community archaeological dig opening up heritage in a unique and interactive way, bringing people together to share history and its legacy on the present day. There will also be a specific event to mark The Ulster Covenant centenary in September 2012 - relevant to the school curriculum links on Partition.

For further information or to register your interest contact: • Derry City Council, Heritage & Museum Service, Tel: 028 7137 7331 • Strabane District Council, Dept of Culture, Arts & Leisure, Tel: 028 7138 2204 • Omagh District Council, Dept of Arts and Tourism, Tel: 028 8224 5321 • Donegal County Museum, Tel: 00 353 7491 24613.

The newsletter o the Scots Leid Associe - Nummer 2

EIKS AN ENS The newsletter o the Scots Leid Associe Nummer 2 Februar 2012

Featuring poems from Gordon Donaldson, David C. Purdie, Rita Bradd, Stuart McHardy, Hamish Scott, Peter Cameron, Tom Chrystal, George Hardie, Stewart Sanderson and W. S. Milne. For more information - see website below

Website(s): Scots Language Society

Out of the Archive: Re-evaluations of Ulster-Scots Poetry for the 21st Century.

Conference 9th March 2012 Room 82D23 Belfast Campus University of Ulster 10.00 am- 6.00 p.m.

The last twenty years have witnessed a resurgence of interest in Ulster-Scots poetry, and amid much political controversy and debate, a dynamic and varied body of writing both recent and traditional has emerged. This conference will examine how this new and expanding body of work might be explored and understood by academics and the public in Northern Ireland and further afield, and what implications this evolving canon might have for literary critics, linguists, historians and cultural commentators. The conference will provide a platform for established and emergent critics to assess how Ulster-Scots poetry might be interpreted, developed and utilised in the twenty-first century.

The Plenary Speaker will be Professor Gerry Carruthers (Glasgow) who will talk on the following subject: ‘Scots and Ulster-Scots Poetry: Varieties of Possibility’?

Topics will include: Ulster-Scots poetry as community voice; Ulster-Scots poetry and literary theory; Ulster-Scots Poetry and diaspora; Ulster Scots poetry and digital humanities; Ulster-Scots poetry: Commemorating the Future.

Speakers will include: Richard Holmes (Bristol), David Gray (Ulster) Frank Ferguson (Ulster) Andrew Holmes (QUB) Laura Spence (BBC) David Hume (MAGUS) Carol Baraniuk (Ulster) Kathryn White (Ulster), Jennifer Orr (Glasgow), Ivan Herbison (MAGUS)

The Ulster-Scots Poetry Project will launch its poetry website.

There will be a special launch of Dr. Jennifer Orr’s The Correspondence of Samuel Thomson 1766-1816 (Four Courts).

For further details contact: Frank Ferguson on 028 70123577 or email f.ferguson@ulster.ac.uk

Website(s): Ulster Poetry Project

8th Belfast Nashville Songwriters' Festival 2012

More than 100 songwriters will perform in 35 concerts and showcases over five days from 22nd-26th February 2012. So far the following artists have been confirmed with more to follow -

Bill Anderson (USA), Iain Archer, Clint Black (USA) Paul Casey & Band, Dana Cooper (USA), Bob DiPiero (USA) Gareth Dunlop, Mick Flannery, Gordon Giltrap & Woody Mann, Nanci Griffith (USA), The Henry Girls, Bap Kennedy & Band, The Kennedy’s, (USA), Nick Lowe & Band, Eleanor McEvoy, Mark Nevin, John Oates (of Hall & Oates), Collin Raye, Silhouette,Todd Snider (USA), The 4 of Us Acoustic Concert

During the festival there will be 15 workshops on the business of music and song writing. Award winning artists John Oates (of Hall & Oates) and Iain Archer are just two of the great songwriters talking about their craft. To register for the conference or to find out more go to: www.belfastnashville.com

"Celebrating our Shared Heritage"

The Sliabh Beagh Cross Border Partnership in association with FUSE are holding a Public Forum on Friday 25th November at 7.30 pm in the Clogher Valley Community Centre, Augher.

The theme is “Celebrating our Shared Heritage” and focuses on Irish & Ulster-Scots language, dance and song. Guest speakers are Gordon McCoy (Cross-Community Officer with the ULTACH Trust) and Matthew Warwick the Educational Officer of the Ulster-Scots Community Network. There will be a short Highland Dance demonstration given by the Erne Highland Dancers.

Come along and enjoy some music, dancing and light refreshments. For more information, phone 028 6775 1918 or email info@sliabhbeagh.org.

Cranny Gatherin - Ulster-Scots Festival 22-25th November

The Cranny Cultural and Community Group are hosting ‘The Cranny Gatherin Ulster-Scots Festival 2011’ from Tuesday 22nd until Friday 25th November 2011.

Tuesday 22nd November in Desertmartin Orange Hall commencing from 7.30pm. ‘A Living History of the Ulster-Scotch’
Delivered through talks and displays of Ulster-Scots history and featuring a special focus on a townland study of County Londonderry. Talks will also include ancestry and genealogy of the Scottish and Irish clans. Other attractions will include displays and exhibitions of artefacts, visual arts and media as well as performances of traditional Ulster and Scottish music Taking part will be Mrs Deirdre Speer-Whyte and guests as well as musical performances from Curran Flute Band and Loughinsholin Cultural Music Group.

Wednesday 23rd November in Desertmartin Parish Church Hall commencing from 7.30pm.
‘Getting ta know tha Hamely Tongue of the Ulster-Scotch’
An evening dedicated to the Ulster-Scots language which will include storytelling, readings/recitals and song. Taking part will be local primary school children, guests and Ms Anne Morrison-Smyth from BBC Radio Ulster’s A Kist o Wurds and the Ullans Centre in Ballymoney.

Thursday 24th November in Desertmartin Parish Church Hall commencing from 7.30pm
‘Traditional Ulster-Scotch Cultural Music Workshop and Ceilidh’
An evening dedicated to the history and culture of traditional Ulster-Scots music and dance. This event will be delivered through displays and performances by professional musicians on a variety of traditional instruments and traditional dance. Those taking part will include Maghera Fife and Drum Group, popular folk group Risin Stour and Highland and Country Dancers.

Friday 25th November in Royal Hotel, Cookstown commencing from 8pm
‘St Andrew’s Night’
This will be the finale of the festival which will be a celebration of Ulster-Scots traditions and culture. There will be a wide variety of entertainment that will appeal to all - with guests encouraged to wear something tartan on the night. The line up of artists that will take part will include popular folk band Rightly On, Cranny Highland Piping and Drumming Group, Highland and Country Dancers and Mr Victor Brownlow, Accordionist and compere. Traditional musician, storyteller, poet and writer, Willie Drennan and friends will also be there on the evening.

Please note that admission to each event is free - except for the final night of the festival which will be held in the Royal Hotel, Cookstown on 25th November - where a buffet supper will be served. Admission for this event will be £10 per person and will be by ticket only. Tickets are available by contacting group members, or alternatively you can contact the group secretary: Gareth Campbell on 07740175745 or email garethscampbell@yahoo.co.uk

Website(s): Hear a bit more about the event on A Kist o Wurds

Ye Banks & Braes

A Burns Night Celebration Wednesday 25th January 2012 - 8pm, Ulster Hall
Tickets - £8 - £22 Box Office - 028 9023 9955

In a celebration of all things Scottish, the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Ulster Orchestra are collaborating to present a Burns Night Special featuring the songs of Robert Burns performed by Scottish singer, Eddi Reader, under the baton of acclaimed conductor and composer, Carl Davis. With guest appearances by outstanding local artists along with Highland pipes, drummers and dancers, the climax of the evening will be the annual Burns Address. The concert is hosted by the Belfast-born actor, Dan Gordon.

Website(s): Ulster Orchestra Ulster-Scots Agency

An Evening with Kintra

Newtowncunningham Community Development Initative Presents – KINTRA

In a night of Music, Song, Dance and Great Craic fusing the best of Irish and Scottish Culture at 8.00pm on Thursday 10th November 2011 at An Grianan Hotel, Burt, Co. Donegal.

Under the musical direction of renowned fiddle player Matt McGranaghan, Kintra was formed in 2008 and brings the best of Irish and Scottish music, song and dance together in an exciting and colourful stage show. Kintra focuses on the shared elements of their cultures in a modern contemporary way, while still maintaining the respect for their shared tradition and heritage.

“Their enthusiastic approach to Irish and Scottish music makes it fresh, new and modern, and brings it bang up-to-date for anyone who loves culture with a twist. This band of twelve pushes the boundaries to make a completely new sound from tried and tested anthems as well as new work by Matt McGranaghan and succeeds admirably.” one critic said.