Lecture series on English, Ulster-Scots and Irish starts this week

The series begins on Thursday, September 27 with the first lecture Ulster Gaelic Voices: The Wilhelm Doegen recordings of 1931 which will be delivered by Róise Ní Bhaoill of the Ultach Trust.

Róise, who comes from Ranafast in the Donegal Gaeltacht is a celebrated author in the Irish language and has written and edited extensively.

Róise’s lecture will explore Doegen’s unique record of 1930s native Irish speakers from the lost Gaeltachts of Londonerry, Donegal, Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, Louth and Tyrone and promises to provide a fascinating insight into the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Irish language from the 1930s.

The second lecture in the series entitled The Place of Writing takes place on Thursday, October 25, 2012 and will be delivered by Eamonn Hughes, senior lecturer in the School of English at Queen’s University, Belfast.

In his talk Eamonn will argue that Irish writers, particularly those from the North of Ireland are obsessed with place in all its forms. He will also look at how writers use language both to comment on real places and to construct imaginative geographies.

The third and final talk in the series entitled Between the Laggan and the Foyle: The Ulster-Scots Literary Tradition in North-West Ulster takes place on Thursday, November 22 and will be delivered by Dr Frank Ferguson, lecturer in the School of English and History at the University of Ulster.

From the early eighteenth century onwards, Londonderry and Donegal poets are featured among the most accomplished writers in the Ulster-Scots literary tradition on the island of Ireland and in this final talk Frank will argue that what ties these writers together is their inspired awareness of the power of everyday language to articulate the deepest of human concerns and emotions.

Speaking ahead of the lectures, Margaret Edwards, Education Officer with the Heritage and Museum Service said “this lecture series presents a fascinating insight into how our heritage and cultural traditions are intrinsically linked to our language. We hope the talks will encourage further debate as we approach 2013 and the Year of Culture.”

Pól Ó Frighil, Irish language Officer with Derry City Council added: “The Island Voices lecture series is now in its second year and it’s hoped that it can continue to grow year on year to develop into a regular feature in Derry’s cultural calendar.

“This year’s programme has plenty to interest local audiences with talks on the last native speakers of Irish in Derry, the Derry-Donegal Ulster-Scots Literary Tradition and Ulster identity in English literature.”

The Island Voices programme is funded by Derry City Council’s Good Relations Programme and is supported by Foras na Gaeilge.

All lectures in the series will take place in Derry City Council’s award-winning Tower Museum. To book contact the Tower Museum at Tel: 028 7137 2411 or [email protected]