Local musicians feature in The Castle Session

Ballymena musicians Emma Smith and Rachael McLeister and singer Diane McCullough are set to feature in The Castle Session, a celebration of Ulster-Scots music that will be broadcast on BBC Two Northern Ireland on Sunday night.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jan 2016, 12:45 BST

Hear Ulster-Scots music at its best in The Castle Session, a one-hour celebration featuring local artists and invited guests from Canada and Scotland, which will be broadcase on January 10 at 10pm.

The show is hosted by Lurgan musician Mark Wilson and recorded at Lurgan Castle where the artists spent two days producing special arrangements for the show.

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The programme also reflects the progress made in recent years by a number of young Ulster-Scots musicians including singer Rachael McLeister from Cullybackey, and fiddle players Diane McCullough and Emma Smith from Ballymena.

Performers including Madison Violet, a Canadian folk music duo composed of singer-songwriters Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac, and Scotland’s Ailie Roberston, a traditional harpist recognised for her unique fusion of Scottish, Irish and contemporary styles, are backed by a house band led by piper Andy Carlisle.

Joining Andy on stage is Killyleagh’s Richard Parkes, pipe major of multi-world-champion pipe band, Field Marshal Montgomery.

Related topics:UlsterEmma Smith