Ulster Scots study grant for Ballycarry

Ballycarry Community Association has been awarded a grant to enable exploration of the potential for an Ulster Scots interpretive centre to be located in the area.
Ballycarry. INLT 03-301-PRBallycarry. INLT 03-301-PR
Ballycarry. INLT 03-301-PR

The grant for £17,500 has been awarded by the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Ulster Scots Academy (MAGUS) and will result in consultants examining the potential for a centre in the village or surrounding area to tell the Ulster Scots story.

The association says it also wants to examine arts and cultural programmes which will ensure any centre would have a long-term potential and also assist in local employment opportunities.

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Valerie Beattie, chairperson of the Association, said: “We have been working in the cultural and historical field for many years now, and believe that the unique heritage of the area can have benefits today, through the development of such a centre, which would create employment and bring tourists to Ballycarry.”

Mrs Beattie said that Ballycarry Community Association has already shown, through the annual Broadisland Gathering, the potential for visitors and benefit to the area, now we want to see consideration of a permanent centre which would be a significant destination for visitors and tourists interested in Ulster Scots heritage,

“Over the next weeks we hope that many groups and individuals will engage with the consultant appointed to deliver this feasibility study,” she said.

The MAGUS group is an advisory group to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister and the grant to the Ballycarry group is one of a number which were successful through a recent application process.

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