A FAMILY PASS TO THE Ulster-Scots Agency (Boord o Ulstér-Scotch) official publication SATURDAY MARCH 11 2017 ST PATRICK’S CENTRE - PAGE 16 Burns Night celebration is a rousing success w SPECIAL BURNS NIGHT COVERAGE: Sixth annual concert at Waterfront Hall crowns a memorable night as community events also shine Pages 7,8 and 9 w ALL SMILES AT BLACKTHORN PIPERS SOCIETY w NEW BROCHURE MARKS THE BIRTH OF ANDREW w 2016 WAS JAM-PACKED WITH SUCCESS FOR MEETING AT THE DISCOVER ULSTER-SCOTS JACKSON, THE SEVENTH PRESIDENT OF AMERICA KIRKNARRA DANCER EMMA SPIERS CENTRE, BELFAST PAGE 3 PAGE 11 PAGE 13 2 www.ulsterscotsagency.com SATURDAY MARCH 11 2017 SATURDAY MARCH 11 2017 Fair faa ye Ulster-Scots Agency hosts reception for 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band Welcome to the March 2017 edition of the Ulster-Scot. It has been a busy few months since the January edition of The Ulster-Scot was published! The Ulster-Scots Agency hosted the annual Burns Night concert with the Ulster Orchestra on See Pages 7, 8 and 9 Saturday January 21 in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. The concert was a huge success with performances by singer Emily he Ulster-Scots Agency to thank the band (including many the concert. During the evening, Smith, musician Jamie McClennan, pipers from Field Marshal hosted a reception for the of the original performers) who Winston Pinkerton (RSPBANI Montgomery pipe band, the Ulster Scots Agency Juvenile Pipe Band Toronto based 78th Fraser will be taking part in the “30th President) presented souvenir T Anniversary Live ‘back’ in Ireland plaques to two original performers and the Markethill Ulster-Scots dancers. Highlanders Pipe Band You can find out more about the concert and the other events which at the Discover Ulster-Scots 87” concert at the Waterfront Pipe Major Bill Livingstone and took place as part of Belfast Burns Week on Pages 7, 8 and 9. Centre, Belfast on Friday February Hall, Belfast. The band members Michael Grey as a memento The Ulster Scot Agency will be launching a new booklet to mark the 24. were joined at the reception of the historic concert which 250th anniversary of the birth of Andrew Jackson later in March. by some of the all-star cast of George Ussher (RSPBA President) The booklet is free to obtain and you can read more about it on The reception provided the guest players from the UK and described as, “One of the defining Page 11. opportunity for RSPBANI officials Ireland who will also take part in events in pipe band history”. Also in this edition we have a wonderful recipe from Judith w ABOVE: Some of 78th Fraser McLaughlin for a Burns Night inspired recipe for Neep’s and Tattie’s Highlanders Pipe Band’s original Patties – you can find this on Page 15. pipers and drummers who took As always we welcome your feedback and hope that everyone finds part in the now legendary ‘Live in something of interest in this edition. Ireland’ concert in Ballymena in 1987. Including is the then Pipe Major Bill Livingstone (third from Ian Crozier is Chief Executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency left) w LEFT: Andy McGregor, Jonathan Whyte and Frank Cassidy pictured The Ulster-Scot entertaining guests as they arrive The official newspaper for the Ulster-Scots Agency / at a reception for the 78th Fraser Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch Highlanders Pipe Band Main office: The Ulster-Scots Agency The Corn Exchange 31 Gordon Street Belfast BT1 2LG Telephone: (028) 9023 1113 Fax: (028) 9023 1898 Email: [email protected] International callers dialling the Ulster-Scots Agency: Europe - 00 44 28 9023 1113 Australia - 00 11 44 28 9023 1113 USA - 011 44 28 9023 1113 w Meaghan Lyons (event co-ordinator), Ainsley Richmond and w Winston Pinkerton (RSPBANI president) pictured Susy Fraser presenting a souvenir plaque to Michael Grey Regional office in Raphoe: (78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band) The Ulster-Scots Agency William Street, Raphoe Co Donegal Telephone: +353 7 4917 3876 CLICK ON THIS... Email: [email protected] WORD Editor: Gary McDonald For details of what’s on check out our events calendar - Associate Editor: Catriona Holmes www.ulsterscotsagency.com/events OF THE ISSUE Production: The Irish News Printing: Interpress NI Limited For Ulster-Scots news - www.ulsterscotsagency.com/news Proddle The Ulster-Scot next edition: Saturday May 13 2017 To sign up for the Ulster-Scots E-Newsletter - Deadline for copy: Wednesday April 26 2017 visit www.ulsterscotsagency.com/newsletter/ Contributors should note that publication of any subscribe/register your details and receive updates Meaning: submitted article is at the Editor’s discretion on the areas that you are most interested. Poke about, prod Join us on Facebook - visit www.facebook.com/ repeatedly, probe UlsterScotsAgency now and like our page to keep up to date on what’s happening, upload your photos from Ulster-Scots events and share your comments. www.ulsterscotsagency.com www.ulsterscotsagency.com 3 SATURDAY MARCH 11 2017 Blue plaque unveiled for VC recipient who ‘gave his life for his comrades’ ‘Live back in Ireland 87’ concert The 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band (Ballymena Town Hall) on Thursday February (including many of the original performers) 23. The Mayor was accompanied by her were joined by some all-star cast of guest husband, Chris Wales (Ballymena Borough Some members players from the UK and Ireland for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry). During of the 78th Fraser ‘Live back in Ireland 87’ concert at the the evening, Bob Worrall presented souvenir Highlanders Pipe Waterfront Hall, Belfast on Saturday pennants to Winston Pinkerton (RSPBANI Band pictured February 25 compèred by Bob Worrall. President), Len Browne & Ken Stewart taking part in the The concert provided the opportunity for (Graham Memorial Pipe Band) and Meaghan ‘Live back in Ireland many to roll back the years to 1987 as Lyons (Event Co-ordinator). 87’ concert at the they recalled when the then soon to be Meanwhile speaking ahead of the concert, Waterfront Hall, World Champion Pipe Band performed and Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE said: “I was Belfast on Saturday recorded the now legendary ‘Live in Ireland’ among the lucky ones who attended the February 25 concert in Ballymena. The special guest at great Ballymena concert in 1987; this music the Waterfront concert was Cllr Audrey Wales in many ways stayed with me and certainly MBE (Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Borough had an influence on my own pipe band Council) who as Mayor was delighted to thinking. I’m genuinely excited to be a part of host a reception for the band at the Braid this project.” Blackthorn Pipers society meeting Ryan Cupples-Menendez, a member w Blackthorn of Grade 1 PSNI Pipe Band, was the Piper Ryan Blackthorn Piper at the Blackthorn Cupples - Menendez Pipers Society Meeting at the (PSNI Pipe Discover Ulster-Scots Centre, Belfast Band) pictured on Wednesday February 22. with his sister Also taking part were Ryan’s father Glenn Tamara and his Cupples (PSNI Pipe Band), Ashley McMichael parents Glenn and Laura at (Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band), the Blackthorn Mark Hasson (Pipe Major of Colmcille Pipe Pipers society Band), Samantha Coburn (Thiepval Memorial meeting Pipe Band), Nathan Coburn (Portavogie Pipe Band) and of course the Society’s Secretary Grahame Harris (Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band) who introduced the guest pipers and compered a great evening of entertain- ment and craic. Refreshments were available during the performances including ‘piping’ hot soup served by some ladies from Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band. Special guests During the early part of the evening, the Toronto based 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band had been practicing for their “Live back in Ireland 87” show (read all about it above) in an upper floor room of the building. After the band had finished their practice, the Blackthorn Piper Society members were w ABOVE: Michael Grey (78th Fraser Highland- delighted when the band members dropped ers Pipe Band, Toronto) pictured playing at the in and joined with them for the latter part of Blackthorn Pipers society meeting the evening. The Society were particularly pleased when Michael Grey (one w LEFT: Harry Stevenson, Grahame Harris of the band’s original pipers who had (Secretary of the Blackthorn Pipers Society), performed at the concert in 1987) Pipe Major Bill Livingstone (78th Fraser concluding a great evening of entertainment Highlanders Pipe Band, Toronto) and Hans as he played a selection of tunes. Whan 4 www.ulsterscotsagency.com SATURDAY MARCH 11 2017 SATURDAY MARCH 11 2017 A vibrant group playing a vital role in the revival of the Ulster-Scots movement in Ulster ess than six miles from the revival of the Ulster-Scots movement in sandy beach at Rossnowlagh Ulster. in County Donegal stands Highland Dance Classes are held in Cully Orange Hall every Wednesday commencing LCully Orange Hall, the at 6pm. Piping and Drumming tuition are home base of Moyne Ulster-Scots held in Cully Orange Hall on every Tuesday Association. Founded in 2004 commencing at 8pm. to promote Ulster-Scots in south This year, the festival welcomed the Donegal, Moyne Ulster-Scots have musical talent of Mark McMullan, who been one of the most active and became an internet star after more than 300,000 people watched the moving successful Ulster-Scots groups in video of him performing the classic Les Ulster. Miserables hit ‘Bring Him Home’ to his The group has established itself around older brother Declan, who suffers from Moyne Pipe Band but has extended locked-in syndrome. far beyond Donegal and its windswept George added: “It was wonderful to beaches. Scott McElhinney, a local welcome Mark, who added a truly farmer, is the driving force behind Moyne stunning element to the 2016 Festival of Ulster-Scots, and the group have a “Moyne Ulster-Scots have re-energised the Remembrance.