Scots talk in Workhouse

ULSTER-Scots speaker Dr Frank Ferguson will present a talk on the Ulster-Scots Literary Tradition in the North West in the last of the autumn Island Voices Lecture Series in Londonderry next Thursday.

Dr Ferguson, a lecturer in the School of English and History at the University of Ulster, will highlight the fact that many of the early eighteenth century poets from Londonderry and Donegal have been identified as some of the most accomplished writers in the Ulster-Scots literary tradition.

In his talk, Between the Laggan and the Foyle: The Ulster-Scots Literary Tradition in North-West Ulster, 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.

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Margaret Edwards, Education Officer with Derry City Council’s Heritage and Museum Service said the ‘Island Voices’ lecture series has been a success so far in offering a fascinating insight into how our heritage and cultural traditions are intrinsically linked to our language.

After the talk there will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions and provide comments as well as provide ideas for the 2013 programme 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 we are hopeful of securing this as an annual event in the city’s cultural calendar.

“This year’s programme has provided plenty to interest local audiences and we would be keen to continue to serve this local interest by providing an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of our rich literary heritage.”

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The talk will take place in the Workhouse Museum on Thursday, November 22 at 12.45pm.

Dr Ferguson is editor of Ulster-Scots Writing an Anthology, and co-editor and contributor to Revising Robert Burns and Ulster: Literature, Religion and Politics c. 1770–1920 and to the forthcoming Ulster-Scots and America Diaspora Literature, History and Migration, 1750–2000.

He is the project manager of the MAGUS Ulster-Scots Poetry Project which aims to digitise key texts in the Ulster Scots poetry tradition and to make them accessible to schools and the public.

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