haLLowe’en Ulster-scots agency (Boord o Ulstèr-scotch) official publication SATURDAY OCTOBER 26, 2019 comPeTiTion Page 16 Funding Boost for Presidential Cottages Ulster-scots agency secures £100K for improvements read more on Page 15 Bonar Law: The ULsTer-scoTs Prime FiFTh annUaL raPhoe heriTage Day greaT new cenTre For KiLLinchy: exciTemenT is minisTer sUccess buiLDing read more on page 6 read more on page 8 read more on page 5 2 ♂ ♂ Saturday, October 26, 2019 2 www.ulsterscotsagency .com Tributes paid to Welcome to the latest edition of the Ulster-Scot! There is a huge amount of really positive work going on at the minute Ulster-Scots linguist in the world of Ulster-Scots and I hope that it is apparent from the content of this edition. The new visitor exhibition and reading rooms which opened recently The entire Ulster-Scots at the Presbyterian Assembly Buildings in Belfast are a must see for language community was every Ulster-Scot, especially if you are interested in family history saddened to learn of the research. The new Livingston Centre in Killinchy is progressing death of Ulster-Scots linguist rapidly and we have also now secured an extra £100,000 to invest in Professor Michael Bryant the Jackson and Arthur Presidential cottages, kick-starting yet more Montgomery, who sadly passed projects that will leave a lasting legacy for Ulster-Scots. away on Wednesday 24 July 2019 at the age of 69. Our new lifelong learning course on Ulster-Scots migration to As distinguished Professor New England is oversubscribed in both Ulster and America; and Emeritus of English and meanwhile we are busy advancing our plans for the first ever Ulster- Linguistics at the University of Scots Language Week, which will take place from 25th to 30th South Carolina in Columbia, November. Michael taught English linguistics for nearly 20 years before retiring Our young people continue to excel, whether in competitions like the in 1999. All-Ireland Piping Solos or in high profile performances like Culture He recognised the influence of Night in Belfast and they predict a bright future for our culture. Ulster-Scots speech in his native Appalachia and this connection We have included some topical features on famous Ulster-Scots, like led to decades of work on Bonar Law, the Ulster-Scot who became Conservative Prime Minister Ulster-Scots, where he made an at a time of great national crisis; and Dave Gallaher, the Ulster-Scot enormous academic contribution, who led the first New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. through works like A Blad O Ulster-Scotch and the Gregg We have also included an article on the latest state of play on Volume. discussions about the bridge to Scotland, which will be of interest to He was an early academic all Ulster-Scots and is likely to run and run. Enjoy! supporter of the modern Ulster- Scots revival and he brought Ian Crozier is Chief Executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency vital international support to our language movement at a time when it was under frequent attack from critics in the media and academia. Michael Montgomery saw not only the linguistic value of Ulster- Scots, but also its societal value, Professor Montgomery addressing stating: a conference at the University of ‘‘When written, a full account of Michigan Ulster-Scots will profoundly affect our understanding of the linguistic history of Ireland. It will throw because of the community and Williams/James Brown Award into sharp relief the necessity of the tradition it represents. from the Appalachian Studies seeing the language situation in ‘‘If it is to play a role in the Association; one of the Top 100 Ulster over the past four centuries building of mutual respect and Most influential People in the as pluralistic and trilingual, understanding in Ireland, it must Great Smoky Mountains History involving continuing contact be seen within proper context as by the Great Smoky Mountains between English, Scots, and Irish representing one of three historic Association; and a Grammy Gaelic and the influence of each language traditions in Ulster.’’ nomination for the music CD ‘‘Old upon the others. Honours Time Smoky Mountain Music.’’ ‘‘We must surely agree with the Professor Montgomery’s honours Professor Montgomery was Good Friday Agreement that included the 2004 Wilma past President of the American Ulster-Scots deserves respect. Dykeman Award for Historical Dialect Society, the Southeastern ‘‘Though declining like many Writing from the East Tennessee Conference on Linguistics and the regional languages, it is of value Historical Society; the Cratis D. Ulster-Scots Language Society. Guising ‘Trick or treating’ – children in fancy dress going from door to door offering entertainment for gifts or money Saturday, October 26, 2019 ♂ ♂ 3 www.ulsterscotsagency .com 3 Culcrow Principal encourages schools to include Ulster-Scots As principal of Culcrow Primary In 2017 we completed a local – the agency provides steady Culcrow Primary School pupils School in Aghadowey near history project in conjunction with support and excellent staff who work visiting Ulster American Folk Park Coleraine, I have had the pleasure Ballybay Primary, Monaghan and tirelessly to promote our culture. As of a close working relationship studied the 1718 immigration led a school we are most grateful for the with the Ulster-Scots Agency in by Rev. McGregor from our own programmes they have provided; we recent years. townland of Aghadowey. This project are now officially an Ulster-Scots We have availed of a range of tuition concluded with a most enjoyable day ‘‘flagship’’ school and our award which has included Scottish Country at the Ulster American Folk Park, takes pride of place in our school Dancing, drumming, fiddle and tin Omagh where both schools’ pupils entrance foyer. whistle playing. met, formed friendships and had a I wish Ulster-Scots every success as The pupils have really enjoyed wonderful day soaked in history and they continue their work in primary their experiences and formed great good company. schools and encourage other relationships with their tutors as We are currently looking forward principals to avail of their resources, well as being equipped with a range to developing this further by excellent tutors and curriculum of skills linked to performance, participating in the ‘‘Land Of enhancing programmes. musical skill and entertainment. Our Promise’’ project and have made drummers performed at our Spring links with Derry Village Elementary By Olive Collins, Concert this year and our junior School in New Hampshire, USA Principal of Culcrow choir were recorded by Radio Ulster to participate in a cross-Atlantic Primary School and enjoyed hearing themselves on history/geography project following the radio in December 2018. our ancestors who left Aghadowey Ulster-Scots has also enriched our in 1719 and researching how they pupils’ sense of personal history and fared in America. links with Scotland. This year is the 300th anniversary of We have enjoyed plays performed in the 1719 immigration and historians Ulster-Scots has school by travelling companies, ‘‘Fair in New Hampshire are keen to share Faa Ye’’ being one notable example, their stories of our ancestors and also enriched our and our pupils have performed the legacy they have left in New pupils’ sense of their own ‘‘Kissing The Shuttle’’ (a England and throughout the celebration of the linen industry) American states. personal history under Dan Gordon’s writing and with Ulster-Scots as an organisation, has and links with professional tuition from a drama really enriched and enhanced our specialist. pupils’ primary school experiences Scotland ‘Upward trend’ sees five new Over 1,000 children primary schools receive Ulster- attend Summer Scots Flagship School award School Programmes Over 1000 children attended 24 Newtowncunningham all hosted Recent months have seen five the child, it is right for the child, Ulster-Scots Summer Schools summer schools for the first time, new primary schools in receipt because children learn better funded by the Ulster-Scots while Ardinariff Historical and of the Ulster-Scots Flagship when they are being taught about Agency. The Ulster-Scots Summer Cultural Association hosted a very School award, four in Northern things that are familiar to them; School programme supported successful Summer School for the Ireland and one in the Republic and because helping them to a wide range of Ulster-Scots 13th year. of Ireland. understand who they are helps activities running throughout the Additional summer schools were The addition of Garvagh Primary them to relate to others. summer. organised by Castlederg Young School, Co Londonderry; ‘‘We look forward to working with Ulster-Scots summer schools are Loyalists Flute Band; Clooney Estate Kilross Primary School, Co schools and colleagues across held right across the province with Residents Association; Fermanagh Londonderry; Lack Primary government to continue this many now holding multiple schools Sports and Cultural Awareness School, Co Fermanagh; William upward trend.’’ to accommodate the number of Association; First Steps Community Pinkerton Memorial Primary The Ulster-Scots Flagship children involved. Group; Hillcrest Trust; Irish Street School, Dervock, Co Antrim; School programme is a cultural Raphoe Ulster-Scots Pipe Band Youth and Community Association; and Creeslough National School and educational programme for hosted three summer schools, Loughinsholin Cultural Music in Co Donegal bring the total primary schools in both Northern attracting a total of 150 children Group; and Mourne Valley Cultural number of Ulster-Scots Flagship Ireland and the Republic of from throughout East Donegal. Association. Schools in Ulster to 60, with Ireland, which encourages These included a Drama Summer The Summer School programme another 30 working towards children to enjoy learning about school with 30 children, who at the seeks to offer fun to all the children recognition. Ulster-Scots and recognise how end of the week put on a public participating, and through fun Ulster-Scots Agency CEO Ian Ulster-Scots has shaped them, performance of Alice in Wonderland children and young people are also Crozier said: ‘‘The progress their community and society.