Cairncastle serves up a feast of Ulster Scots

A colourful, action-packed celebration of Ulster Scots will take place along the scenic East Antrim Coast and gateway to the beautiful nine Glens of Antrim later this month.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jul 2014, 07:00 BST
Preparing for the Cairncastle Ulster Scots Festival from July 22-August 1 are (right to left): Bluegrass music expert and fiddle maker and player, Hugh Brownlow; well-known Cairncastle piper Trevor Hassin MBE and Jimmy McKeegan, who is the banjo player with the Grouse Beaters folk band.Preparing for the Cairncastle Ulster Scots Festival from July 22-August 1 are (right to left): Bluegrass music expert and fiddle maker and player, Hugh Brownlow; well-known Cairncastle piper Trevor Hassin MBE and Jimmy McKeegan, who is the banjo player with the Grouse Beaters folk band.
Preparing for the Cairncastle Ulster Scots Festival from July 22-August 1 are (right to left): Bluegrass music expert and fiddle maker and player, Hugh Brownlow; well-known Cairncastle piper Trevor Hassin MBE and Jimmy McKeegan, who is the banjo player with the Grouse Beaters folk band.

The Cairncastle Ulster Scots Festival is a vibrant celebration of all things Ulster Scots – not just pipes, drums and reels but also Bluegrass, Country and Folk music.

From July 22 to August 1, the Cairncastle Cultural and Community group is hosting 15 events, everything from music and dance to a musical coach tour and workshops on Ulster Scots history and culture.

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Festival spokesman Tommy Stewart promised lots of entertainment and spectacle for everyone who attends.

He said: “The Ulster Scots people spread to all corners of the world and our festival reflects the global influence of a strong and determined people in areas such as politics, business and music.”

The festival explores all aspects of the Ulster Scots culture including free workshops on Irish and Ulster Scots history, Bluegrass Music and the links between the Irish Language and Ulster Scots.

And for those who love folk music, there are demonstrations on how to make a fiddle and a workshop on the accordion and how the instrument differs in Britain, Ireland, Australia and North America.

For more information and to view the full programme of events, go to http://www.cairncastleulsterscots.co.uk/

Related topics:Ulster ScotsAntrim