Lisburn people are urged to embrace Ulster Scots culture

Lisburn Councillor Robbie Butler and Jenny Palmer have used a traditional Ulster Unionist Party Burns Night Supper to encourage the community 'to get involved with Northern Ireland's rich Ulster-Scots culture.

The two UUP councillors issued their joint appeal after they were guest speakers at the North Antrim UUP Association’s successful Burns Night events when dozens of members and guests packed Clough Masonic Hall, near Ballymena, for the annual supper.

Members and friends from across the North Antrim constituency and beyond made the event one of the best-ever social and cultural UUP functions in recent months.

The Toast to the Immortal Memory of poet Rabbie Burns was given by Councillor Butler from the Lagan Valley UUP constituency.

Councillor Alexander Redpath (Deputy Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council) pictured attending a Burns Night Concert in the Ulster Hall on Saturday 23rd January, January in his first event in the capacity of Director of the Ulster Orchestra.  Included are Tom Scott (Chairman of the Ulster-Scots Agency), Allen McAdam (Ulster-Scots Agency) and Professor Sir George Bain (Chairman of the Ulster Orchestra).Councillor Alexander Redpath (Deputy Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council) pictured attending a Burns Night Concert in the Ulster Hall on Saturday 23rd January, January in his first event in the capacity of Director of the Ulster Orchestra.  Included are Tom Scott (Chairman of the Ulster-Scots Agency), Allen McAdam (Ulster-Scots Agency) and Professor Sir George Bain (Chairman of the Ulster Orchestra).
Councillor Alexander Redpath (Deputy Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council) pictured attending a Burns Night Concert in the Ulster Hall on Saturday 23rd January, January in his first event in the capacity of Director of the Ulster Orchestra. Included are Tom Scott (Chairman of the Ulster-Scots Agency), Allen McAdam (Ulster-Scots Agency) and Professor Sir George Bain (Chairman of the Ulster Orchestra).

The Toast to the Lasses was proposed by a leading North Antrim Association member, while the Response from the Lasses given by Lisburn Councillor Jenny Palmer.

In their joint statement, Councillors Butler and Palmer said that the various events held around Northern Ireland and further afield to commemorate the life and legacy of Rabbie Burns were examples of “rich cultural expression”.

They added: “We both had the pleasure and honour of roles in this important cultural evening in North Antrim and to chat to the large crowd of friends and members.

“It turned out to be a very memorable night for all who attended with an excellent programme of entertainment, which included a range of musical entertainment, with the skirl of the bagpipes, especially when the ceremony of piping the haggis into the hall took place.

Councillor Alexander Redpath (Deputy Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council) pictured attending a Burns Night Concert in the Ulster Hall on Saturday 23rd January, January in his first event in the capacity of Director of the Ulster Orchestra.  Included are Tom Scott (Chairman of the Ulster-Scots Agency), Allen McAdam (Ulster-Scots Agency) and Professor Sir George Bain (Chairman of the Ulster Orchestra).Councillor Alexander Redpath (Deputy Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council) pictured attending a Burns Night Concert in the Ulster Hall on Saturday 23rd January, January in his first event in the capacity of Director of the Ulster Orchestra.  Included are Tom Scott (Chairman of the Ulster-Scots Agency), Allen McAdam (Ulster-Scots Agency) and Professor Sir George Bain (Chairman of the Ulster Orchestra).
Councillor Alexander Redpath (Deputy Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council) pictured attending a Burns Night Concert in the Ulster Hall on Saturday 23rd January, January in his first event in the capacity of Director of the Ulster Orchestra. Included are Tom Scott (Chairman of the Ulster-Scots Agency), Allen McAdam (Ulster-Scots Agency) and Professor Sir George Bain (Chairman of the Ulster Orchestra).

“The highlights of the evening were a number of recitals of Robert Burns’ renowned poetry.

“We congratulate everyone for all their efforts in making the evening such an excellent spectacle of culture enjoyed by the community at large.

“We wanted to use this traditional annual Burns Night Supper to encourage the entire community to get involved with their rich Ulster-Scots heritage and culture.”

Lisburn’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Alexander Redpath also attended a Burns Night event with the Ulster Orchestra.

“I was delighted to attend our Burns Night celebration,” said Mr Redpath, who has recently been appointed as a Director of the Ulster Orchestra.

“The event was extremely well attended and successfully melded together a variety of musical styles.”