Bout ye!  We bid ye welcome tae Ulster-Scotch Online where we scrieve the aul tongue an leid alang wi promoting an fostering understanding of it`s attendant music, history, culture and heritage.  We are primarily focused on Northern Ireland and and the border Counties of the Republic but also across the island of Ireland and especially the various Irish and Scotch-Irish diasporas around the world..

We have just updated the website with new software to resolve some ongoing problems with the old software.  However all users and passwords should be carried across.  Please let us know what you think of the new look and please be aware it is still a work in progress in terms of aesthetics, with logos and links and such like still to be implemented.  Expect the blog to be more active with working software and a new blogging team asweel.  Speaking o which, anyone interested in blogging on Ulster-Scotch Online please drop us a line.

 

Streaming Video - Please Select An Event & Press Play

 

 

Feel free to add any upcoming events. Please note that the software uses the American date format of Month/Day/Year and not the Day/Month/Year format. Please feel free to come into the forums for some discussion. You can also add your own comments to any articles you see here by clicking where it says "comment" at the bottom of an article.

Please also feel free to subscribe to the Yahoo email group / forum.  Please be advised that this is a high load email list and you are advised to set an email filter to filter to a new `ulster-scots` folder so as not to clog your inbox (alternatively you can alter settings at Yahoo to receive a daily digest or read soley via the web ).

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What is the future of Ulster?

An independent Ulster
A devolved Northern Ireland within the UK (as now)
A devolved Northern Ireland within a United Ireland
A United Ireland (no devolution)
A federal four province Ireland
A federal British Isles
Integration with the UK / Direct Rule (no devolution)

-- poll results --

Belfast to host European Pipe Band Championships

16 July 2010

Belfast is to host the prestigious European Pipe Band Championships at the end of July.

The competition – which has attracted 123 bands and 47 drum majors – takes place at the Civil Service sports grounds at Stormont on Saturday 31 July.

More than 25,000 people are expected to witness the spectacle, which will return to Belfast in 2011 and again in 2012.

Bands will travel from all over Europe to take part in one of the highlights of the pipe band calendar. They will be joined by bands from the United States and Australia. Bands will compete in five rings and there also will be children`s activities, highland dancing, tented village area selling tartan goods, food and drink, including a beer tent.

Tickets for the event are available in advance, at a discounted rate, from the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall box offices – telephone +44 (0)28 9033 4455 or visit www.waterfront.co.uk - and also from the Belfast Welcome Centre – telephone +44 (0)28 9024 6609.

The bid to host the European Pipe Band Championships for the three years between 2010 and 2012 was won by Belfast City Council, and Lord Mayor Pat Convery - who today (Friday 16 July) was appointed Honorary Chieftain for the event - described securing the competition as yet another tremendous coup for the city.

“Over the past ten years or so, Belfast has developed a growing international reputation for its ability to stage highly successful world-class events, and events such as these are vitally important to the city, not just in terms of our image but also for the economic benefit which they bring.

“Our latest figures show that, in the last year, £6.90 has been generated by every pound which the council has spent on staging major events – such as the hugely successful Tall Ships.

“We estimate that the European Pipe Band Championships will be worth somewhere in the region of £1.3 million to our economy for each of the three years they are here – a vital boost to our retailers, hoteliers and everyone else who will benefit from the council`s decision to bring this prestigious competition to our city,” commented the Lord Mayor.

George Ussher, Chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, Northern Ireland Branch and President of the worldwide Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said he was “thrilled” that the European Championships were being held in Belfast and congratulated Belfast City Council on the success of their bid and their support for the piping community.

“I look forward to bringing the very best pipe bands in the world to Belfast for these events, and know they will enjoy a warm welcome and some wonderful hospitality from the city of Belfast,” said Mr Ussher.

The Championships will be followed by `PipeUp! Belfast` - a week-long festival of piping/drumming and Ulster Scots folk music, including daily pipe band and Highland dancing displays in the grounds of City Hall and the Belfast City Piping Invitational competition and the European Solo Tenor Drumming Championships at the Europa hotel.

The week will culminate with a concert by the world famous Simon Fraser University Pipe Band and six times World Champions Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band at the Belfast Waterfront on Friday 6 August. This will be the first time that the bands have played together. Tickets cost £20 and are available from the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall box offices as above.

For more details on all the events, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk or www.rspba.org

ENDS

As before, no doubt the Ulster-Scots Agency will have a series of connected events about Ulster links to Scotland and links to the Scotch-Irish (Scots-Irish) in America
http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com

Second Homecoming in 2014
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/05/25113855
25/05/2010


Video: First Minister Alex Salmond

Scotland will build on the success of the Year of Homecoming by staging a second formal celebration in 2014, First Minister Alex Salmond said today.

Homecoming 2014 will take place in the year that Scotland hosts the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup and marks the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

The FM made the announcement on the same day an independent evaluation revealed the enormous benefits of the first year of Homecoming in 2009.

Research by economic and social development consultancy EKOS shows Homecoming Scotland 2009:

* generated £53.7 million in additional tourism revenue for Scotland, exceeding the £44 million target by 22 percent
* attracted 95,000 additional visitors to Scotland
* generated £154 million of positive global media coverage

The FM also launched a new digital archive that will showcase Homecoming 2009 to audiences at home and abroad.

The Homecoming Scotland Digital Archives and Exhibition Project, designed by Queen Margaret University, uses new Microsoft technology to allow users to learn more about Homecoming 2009 and increase interest in Homecoming 2014.

An archivist will collate Homecoming documents, brochures, articles and video clips which will be digitised using Microsoft's Zenity product. The archives will be available online from January next year and a public exhibition will begin a tour of Scotland in the summer.

Mr Salmond said:

"In 2014 the eyes of the world will be on Scotland as the Commonwealth Games comes to Glasgow and the Gleneagles hosts the Ryder Cup and Scots at home and abroad mark the anniversary of Bannockburn.

"In this year of celebration, repeating the remarkable success and benefits of Homecoming 2009 is an excellent opportunity to attract tourism and investment and showcase the very best of Scotland.

"The independent evaluation published today proves the unprecedented effect of the first Homecoming, attracting almost 100,000 people, generating £53.7 million extra income and contributing to visitor numbers rising by three percent despite the downturn and a four percent drop in global tourism.

"The Homecoming archive, developed by Queen Margaret University using new Microsoft technology, underlines our reputation for innovation and has the potential to become a model for the future. This ground breaking new product will ensure that the success of the celebration of Scotland and its many contributions to the world will be available for everyone to enjoy for generations to come.

"2014 has been designated as the next formal Homecoming year, but as this year's focus on food and drink indicates, the themes of Homecoming will be carried forward every year. This is crucial as we build on the success of 2009 and towards 2014."

Dr Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said:

"In world tourism terms, Homecoming has been seen as a unique marketing tool by competing tourist destinations who would love the Diaspora that Scotland enjoys. The success of last year's Homecoming sparked huge interest in people all over the world, not only those with ancestral links to Scotland, but those who simply love this country.

"Working with businesses within the industry, VisitScotland will once again seize the tremendous opportunity that Homecoming represents. Whichever country visitors are travelling from in order to enjoy the wide-ranging celebrations in 2014, they can be guaranteed the warmest possible welcome to these shores and I have no doubt they will leave with memories they will treasure forever."

Dr Petra Wend, Principal and Vice Patron of Queen Margaret University, said:

"Development of the Homecoming Archive presents a tremendously exciting opportunity for Queen Margaret University to collect, catalogue, and preserve materials associated with the Scottish Homecoming 2009 for the benefit of a very broad range of people, both in Scotland and across the world.

"We know that the archive will be of great use to all those involved in promoting tourism and economic development in Scotland, those considering tourism initiatives across the world, and scholars of today and future generations. We look forward to sharing the archives with a wide audience through an information-rich website and a travelling exhibition across Scotland."

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer of EventScotland, said:

"Scotland's events industry came out in force to support Homecoming 2009. Many events enjoyed their best ever year, with established events featuring Homecoming inspired activity selling out or breaking previous box office bests. This includes Scotland's international poetry festival StAnza, The Royal Highland Show and Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Whilst events created specifically for the year, like Burns Light in Dumfries, captured the imagination of visitors and local people alike."

Homecoming Scotland 2009 aimed to deliver an 8:1 return on the core investment of £5.5 million by generating £44 million of additional tourism revenue for Scotland.

• 

  Ulster-Scots showcasing this Bank Holiday weekend

  31 May 2010, 09:00, Family Fun Day, Stormont Estate

  Ulster-Scots showcasing this Bank Holiday weekend This Bank Holiday weekend the Ulster-Scots Agency will be showcasing the cultural and heritage traditions of Ulster-Scots at two major events, as follows: National Countrysports Fair, Moira Demesne - Saturday 29th May and Sunday 30th May, 10am – 6pm Family Fun Day, Stormont Estate – Monday 31st May, 10am – 6pm The National Countrysports Fair is Northern Ireland’s premier Game and Country Fair. Moira Demesne is the venue for the two-day show, which is held annually and is now widely recognised by Ireland's country sports community as the showcase event for Irish country sports and rural living. The Ulster-Scots programme of events for the weekend is as follows: Saturday 29th May: 11.30am – 1.30pm Music by ‘Stonewall’ 1.30pm – 2.00pm Series of 5 minute dance displays by Kerry Jordan. Music provided by Ross Forrest, the Scottish Junior Piping Champion 2.00pm – 4.00pm Music by ‘Risin’ Stour’ Sunday 30th May: 11.30am – 1.30pm Music by ‘Risin’ Stour’ 1.30pm – 2.00pm Series of 5 minute dance displays by Kerry and Kirstie Jordan. Music provided by Ross Forrest, the Scottish Junior Piping Champion 2.00pm – 4.00pm Music by ‘Dunloy Accordion Band’ The Agency will be located in a marquee and will have a programme of Ulster-Scots musical and dance entertainment taking place intermittently over the two days. Full details will be available on the Agency’s website www.ulsterscotsagency.com in early May, 2010. On Monday 31st May the Ulster-Scots Agency the Agency is teaming up with its sister organisation, the Irish language body Foras na Gaeilge at the Family Fun Day at Stormont Estate, Belfast. Entrance to the event is FREE. Visitors to the Stormont Family Fun Day are invited to visit the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge marquee which will be located at the foot of the main stairs up to the entrance of Parliament Buildings. The Ulster-Scots programme for Monday 31st May is as follows: 12.00am – 12.45pm & 1.45pm – 2.30pm – Ulster-Scots and Irish programme of music and dance by ‘Bearnagh’. more »

• 

  Bush Valley Festival 2010 hosted by Stranocum Ulster-Scots Cultural and Heritage Society

  01 June 2010, various locations in Stranocum

  List of events and dates: 1st July Somme Memorial Service at Stranocum War memorial 7.30pm 2nd July Ulster-Scots concert with atrists: Stranocum flute band Riada Accordion Orchestra Ballymomey Drumming Club The conceret will commence at 7.30pm. 2nd July Three Cookery Demonstrations - venue to be confirmed. 5th July Drum Workshop will be held at 7pm in Stranocum Orange Hall 6th July Cultural Talk at 7pm in Stranocum Orange Hall 7th July Flute Workshop at 7pm in Stranocum Orange Hall 8th July Cultural Talk at 7pm in Stranocum Orange Hall 9th July Tin Whistle Workshop at 7pm in Stranocum Orange Hall more »

• 

  Stranorlar 400 Ulster Scots Festival hosted by Ballybofey and Stranorlar Integrated Community Company

  04 June 2010, Stranorlar, Donegal

  The programme of events for this festival have now ebben finalised For further information please contact Mary McGranaghan on 0749190909 or email ballybofeyandstranorlar@gmail.com more »

• 

  Ulster-Scots Concert with Stonewall and Session Beat

  09 June 2010, 20:00, The Market Place, Armagh Theatre and Arts Centre, Market Street, Armagh.

  Venue: Main Auditorium more »

• 

  Drumloughs Ulster-Scots Cultural Festival hosted by Drumlough Cultural Society

  10 June 2010, Drumlough Orange Hall, 176 Dromara Road Hillsborough

  For further information please contact Madaline McMullan on 028 9263 8675 more »

• 

  Movenis Ulster-Scots Gatherin 2010 hosted by Movenis Area Community Association

  11 June 2010, Movenis Orange hall, 24 Movenis Road, Garvagh.

  For further information please contact Hubert Gilmore on 028 7086 8564. more »

• 

  Ulster-Scots Frontier Festival hosted by South Down Defenders Flute Band

  17 June 2010, various locations

  For further information contact David Taylor o 07521 158 875 or email Samuel.taylor6@btinternet.com. more »

• 

  Shape the future of Creative Learning in the Lyric Theatre

  23 June 2010, 09:30, Spectrum Centre, Belfast

  Community Engagement Days Currently the Lyric are developing a new creative learning strategy for the new theatre that will include a range of theatre-based workshop programmes centred on your needs. To help them understand your hopes and aspirations for the new theatre, they would like to invite you to the Lyric’s Community Engagement day. If you are an individual, community group or organisation, this is your opportunity to provide your thoughts on what you would like to see from the Lyric’s Creative Learning Department. more »

• 

  Garryduff Ulster Scots Community Festival hosted by Garryduff Flute Band

  24 June 2010, various locations

  For further information please contact Ian Kennedy on 07909 910 510 or email Iwsk1690@hotmail.com more »

• 

  The Ulster-Scots Orangefest Festival at Spectrum hosted by Greater Shankill Partnership

  25 June 2010, various locations

  For further information please contact Bobby Fosher on 028 9050 4555 or email bobby@spectrumcenter.com . more »

Based on an article from:
DESSIE WARD PIPES UP OVER ANTHEM
http://www.banbridgeleader.co.uk/news/WARD-PIPES-UP-OVER-ANTHEM.6306116.jp
Published Date:
19 May 2010
By AINE FOX

DESSIE Ward has claimed the playing of the National Anthem lessened the enjoyment for some people attending the recent Bann River Pipe Band Contests in Solitude Park.

Hundreds of people attended the event earlier this month which not only added to the occasion but also gave the town centre a welcome economic boost.

Organiser Mervyn Herron said he has been contacted by countless people praising the day's success.

But now Independent councillor Dessie Ward has said some of the people he has spoken to who attended the contests felt the playing of the anthem was 'inappropriate.'

Mr Herron has said he is "extremely disappointed" by the councillor's remarks.
Mr Ward said he had received a number of complaints about the playing of "God Save the Queen" as the contest was coming to an end.
"The people I have spoken to felt that this was inappropriate and took away from their enjoyment of the event," said Mr Ward, who was unable to attend the event himself but praised it as a "great spectacle".
"They have also said that it would discourage them from attending future pipe band events in the town.
"All those involved with the pipe bands should be making strenuous efforts to broaden the appeal of the pipe bands to as many communities as possible.
"Perhaps this is something they can take on board for the next time," he added.

Mr Ward did praise the event's organisation describing it as a great boost for local trade and tourism.

He also pointed out that he hopes the success of this year's event can be built upon in the future.

Mr Herron, who was involved in organising the event which saw 33 bands descend on the town, said the playing of the National Anthem is traditional and has been done for over 30 years without complaint.
"I am disappointed that this has come up as an issue," said Mr Herron. "The pipe band association does encompass all sides of the community - something that Mr Ward may not be aware of.
"Whenever we travel to Mayo for the 65th all-Ireland championships with 45 bands which will travel from here, we will stand and listen respectfully to the Irish National Anthem - that includes everyone from bandsmen to spectators and officials."

Mr Herron said he is more than happy to speak to anyone, including Mr Ward, who has any issue with this tradition.
"The way I see things is that the various branches of the Pipe Band Association all respect each other's traditions."