Ulster-Scots Agency

This booklet was launched at our Big Burns Day, Belfast City Hall, last week. We hope you enjoy it, and will share it with your friends.
https://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/…/BBB _A5_Booklet_-_Spread…

This was a brilliant morning for 150+ school kids in Belfast City Hall. Thanks to Friends of Campbell College Pipe Band
What do you think?

Councillor Daniel Baker, Lord Mayor of Belfast joined 150 school kids on 28 January in Belfast City Hall to learn about Ulster-Scots and Robbie Burns. He said "We learnt about Robert Burns (handy for valentine's day). The highlight was Campbell College Pipes and Drums who played the Star Wars theme tune for us. Language, cultural, music is so important to understanding our history."

A wee taste of the Ulster-Scots Agency 30 minute film ‘From Ulster to Savannah’.

‘From Ulster to Savannah’
The Ulster-Scots Agency working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Bureau, the Georgia Southern University and the British and Irish Consulates will be screening its film ‘From Ulster to Savannah’ in Atlanta and Savannah Georgia, USA in February. This film features the trip made by Omagh Protestant Boys Melody Flute Band to the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah in March 2019 following a generous invitation from the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee. More details to follow but meantime here are some reminders of the visit.

Delighted once again to mark the Burns family connection with Dundalk by placing a wreath at the Burns monument at St Nicholas' C of I (known locally as the Green Church). Robert's sister Agnes lived near Dundalk and is buried in a modest corner of the churchyard. The monument was refurbished by the Belfast Burns Club in 1935. Thanks to Rev Walmsley and the Select Vestry.

In case you missed the start of the new series of Hame last night, it is available on the BBC iPlayer. Huge congratulations to Mr Russell and the weans from Ballydown Primary for their work on Robert Burns! Please like and share. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b0 9wzbnc/hame

If you were out last night celebrating the Bard you may have missed A bit o Burns, hosted by Mark Thompson. A recap of Burns Nights down the years, it also gave a good flavour of a lot of our work promoting Burns in the last few years. Can anyone help to identify the Belfast butcher that sold 3800lbs of haggis in 1978? Please like and share. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplay…/episodes/m 000dwv6/a-bit-o-burns

Just a wee reminder that the brilliant Ulster-Scots series Hame is back on our screens tonight! Join Mark and Ruth on BBC2 Northern Ireland at 10.00pm. Please like and share.

Interesting article on NI place names. As usual the breadth and depth of Ulster-Scots is understated. There are Ulster-Scots place names all over Ulster, not just the coasts of North Down and North Antrim. Notable however that it confirms the Ulster-Scots dimension to Lisburn, burn being the Ulster-Scots for stream. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-norther n-ireland-47946294

In a first for us, we have taken over the facade of Visit Belfast to promote Burns Week. Tak a wee luk in if yer nearhaun.

Happy Burns Day! Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns, was born on this day in 1759. Many people don't realise that he also had close connections with Ulster. To find out more about our programme of events for Burns Week, visit www.ulsterscotsagency.com. Please like and share.

EXCLUSIVE 10% DISCOUNT CODE
We've got an exclusive offer for you.
Get 10% off any products in the Mash Direct online shop - expires 31 January 2020.... Can be used once per customer.
CODE: Burns10 Click here to shop: https://www.mashdirect.com/shop/
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COMPETITION TIME!
Would you like to win a Mash Direct Burns Supper Box?
All we need you to do is like and Share our Page.
... Winner will be drawn at random 2.00 pm Wednesday 22nd January, just in time to deliver your Burns Supper Box in time for Burns Night (Saturday).
Rules: Delivery to UK/Ireland only and there is no alternative to the prize.
Check this page for winner announcement tomorrow (we need to get your address details to get the prize in the post).
See https://www.mashdirect.com/range/burns-bo x/
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Belfast City Council is currently consulting on the idea of putting up Irish and potentially Ulster-Scots signage along with English in the city's four flagship leisure centres at Lisnasharragh, Templemore, Olympia and Andersonstown.
The Ulster-Scots Agency has advised the City Council that we do not believe that such a policy should be pursued. Resources should be put into the planned development of an atmosphere of recognition and respect for the two indigenous languages in... Belfast, which does not currently exist, rather than pursuing high visibility projects which may prove controversial and have the potential to damage the position of both languages in the long run.
You can have your say until 10th January using the link below.
https://yoursay.belfastcity.gov.uk/ch…/ signage-consultation/
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Happy New Year! If you're thinking about a list of goals for 2020, make sure to include discovering more about Ulster-Scots. There will be lots of interesting opportunities to find out more about our language, culture and identity during the year, starting with Burns Week at the end of this month. Make a start today by liking/following us on Facebook so that you know what's going on. Please like and share.

Just add ice...All set to see in the bells of 2020 with a wee drap o tha guid stuff. The well known Ulster-Scots brand Dunville's is making a big comeback thanks to the Echlinville Distillery in County Down. Thanks to the kind soul who made a Christmas box of this wee set (not the clock!). Whatever your tipple for ringing in the New Year, hae a guid yin!

This Belfast Telegraph article from 1975 appeared under the headline of Hardluck Hogmanay!
"Having an early drink to celebrate Hogmanay are these Scottish soldiers of the King's Own Scottish Borderers stationed at Palace Barracks, Holywood. The men will have to make do with an early beer, because most of them will be on duty as the New Year comes in. In the picture are (L to R) L/Cpl Alistair Dodds, Cpl Henry Johnston, Pte Gerard Fullerton, Pte Robert Parker, Cpl Eric Gilson and Cpl Reuben Harris."