Robert Burns day

Happy Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns day folks.

Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns, was born on this day in 1759. His birthday continues to be celebrated around the world.

Many people don’t realise that he also had close connections with Ulster. He is regarded as Scotland’s national poet: an icon who has loomed large in Ulster/Scottish culture and consciousness ever since his early death at the age of 37. Arguably his best known work is the song Auld Lang Syne: a long established feature of New Year celebrations in every corner of the world settled by the Scottish diaspora (which means, in effect, every corner of the world).

Enjoy

Ulster Scots

Yesterday evening in the Skainos Centre, Belfast our group in conjunction with REACH hosted an evening challenging the idea that Ulster-Scots has a sectarian subtext and that it does not have cross community potential by pointing to evidence in several literary and autobiographical texts that have not received sufficient critical attention.

The meeting was organised following the release of the “NEW DECADE – NEW APPROACH” deal of which it states in section 27/c : “ to enhance and develop the language, arts and literature associated with the Ulster Scots / Ulster British Tradition “

The evening was opened and closed with two beautiful Ulster Scots songs performed by Caoimhe, a BBC radio presenter and singer.
It was followed by a talk by Professor Emeritus Wesley Hutchinson whom we have hosted on many occasion.

Wesley is the Honorary President of Europe’s largest Irish Affairs body, the Societe Francaise d’Etude Irlandaise. He is also the senior academic of Irish affairs at the world renowned Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris.

 

 

 

 

 

 

His global perspective on minority languages was most helpful in celebrating culture without allowing it to be used as a political weapon.

His most recent book, Tracing the Ulster-Scots Imagination, was published by Ulster University last year with the support of the Reconciliation Fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Pretani Associates. This was the first major study of the Ulster-Scots literary and historiographical tradition across the centuries. Wesley Hutchinson lectures regularly on Ulster-Scots topics, for example at the University of Strasbourg, the Tower Museum, Derry/Londonderry and the Discover Ulster-Scots Centre, Belfast.

Everyone in attendance received a copy of The Country Rhymes by James Orr and a copy of an Ulster Scots translated poster by Dr Ian Adamson made for Cara Friend relating to bullying, suicide awareness, safe school space.

Many thanks to Minister Brian Anderson of the East Belfast Mission for hosting us.

Ian Adamson event

Last Thursday evening our group hosted an event at the The Somme Association & Somme Museum in Conlig to remember our former patron and friend Dr Ian Adamson OBE on the 1st anniversary of his passing.

Two stained glass pieces of artwork were made by the community and donated to the Somme Museum in his memory. One piece will remain in the museum while the other will be installed in the Ulster Tower in Thiepval, France.

Our Chairperson and Carol Walker, Director of the Somme Museum and the Ulster Tower, highlighted the great work by Dr Adamson in relation to the Somme. Speakers also included David Johnson (NIO) and Robbie Hull (DFA). While in France in the 1980’s, with young people from the Shankill and Falls in Belfast and Tallaght in Dubin, Dr Adamson decided to stop off in the Somme. This would lead to the creation of the Somme Association and the refurbishment of the Ulster Tower.

His legacy lives on through his multiple projects making the past and in particular the Somme, relevant to the everyday lives of people in Northern Ireland.

A British Unionist, an Irish Royalist and an Ulster Loyalist!

Respect – Heritage – Culture
Lest we forget

Lest we forget

Today Dalaradia remember our former Patron Dr Ian Adamson on the first year anniversary of his passing.

An incredible human being who dedicated his life to his community, serving as a Paediatrician he served those children most in need. As an elected politician he represented all without fear or favour, also serving as Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor and High Sheriff of Belfast.

Working behind the scenes he was instrumental in promoting peace in our society by engaging with individuals across the divide regardless of their background, a work he continued right until the end. His sense of a common identity for all of Ulster’s people was perhaps 30 tears ahead of his time.

As a respected Author and Historian his works on the History of Ulster and its people inspired a generation, not least his pioneering endeavours being instrumental in securing the Ulster Tower and the Story of the Somme forever. A friend of Royalty and Presidents, he never lost the common touch, not least his hugely satirical blog which lambasted the failings of our politicians,- if ever Kipling’s poem “IF” applied to anyone, it was Ian Adamson. “If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch. You’ll be a Man, my son!”

A lover of native language, literature and culture be it Pritani, Cruithin, Ulster Gaelic or Ulster Scots / Ullans he showed how culture can be enjoyed and celebrated by all in an inclusive non-threatening way and never used as a political weapon. His final completed book, perhaps the oldest written Ulster story – ” A Journey To The Immortal Isles, The Voyage of Bran” being launched throughout working class unionist communities only a few months ago.

A huge loss not only to his friends but to the whole Ulster Nation. We will remember him through support for Respect – Heritage – Culture

Robed in Red Mantles and with caps of Red
No swords had they, nor bore they sword or shield
But each man on his knee a bagpipe held

Remembered also by the committee and members of Reach UK and the Loyalist Communities Council.

Lest we forget

Training fair

https://facebook.com/events/s/training-fair/476545236336163/?ti=icl

Facilitated by our sub group the RATH. Community Group.

All welcome.

Saftey

Members of Dalaradia/RATH. Community Group have been contacted by concerned residents within the Rathcoole estate after the finding of a discarded needle in the middle of a street where young children play.

The group is unsure of its use to its user however the discarding of it is an absolute disgrace. If this person is infected or drugs was still within the needle can you imagine a child poking him/herself with it? We as a group want to raise awareness on what to do if you find one and to also teach your children the importance of not touching it and reporting it to an adult.

You can report discarded syringes to your local council here – https://www.gov.uk/report-syringes

If however you are not comfortable of it’s location and don’t want to wait here is some step by step guidance.

* Use a pair of tongs, pliers or tweezers to pick up the needle. It is best to wear rubber gloves.

* Pick the needle up by pointing the needle tip down and away from you.

* Put the needle in a container that has been placed on a stable surface. A sharps container, bleach container, or plastic peanut butter jar work well. You should not use a glass jar, light plastic container, or a milk carton, as they could break or needles could poke through.

* Do not try to put the cap back on the needle.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water.

* Take the container to a pharmacy or to SOLID

Happy new year

A GUID New Year tae yin and a’; and mony may ye see; And during a’ the year tae come, O Happy may ye be.

Quick fact: Did you sing the traditional “Auld Lang Syne” at the stroke of midnight? Did you know it is a Scots-language poem sung worldwide and was written by Robert Burns in 1788?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a safe and enjoyable 2020 – Dalaradia group

Merry Christmas folks

Ablythe Yuletide billies

Merry Christmas friends/comrades

🎄 Dalaradia group 🎄

Foodbank

This past week members of our group/RATH. Community Group in conjunction with REACH provided 10 homes with food parcels with the last being provided this evening. We also gathered some toys for some families. If we cannot help our own, what is the point in our very existence?

There is a real stigma around food banks with many people too embarrassed to ask for help. There are groups including ourselves who can offer it. Please don’t suffer in silence. In 2019 the number of people in Northern Ireland using food banks has risen by 29% as more families struggle with the cost of living.

In just six months, 17,571 three-day emergency food supplies were given to people in crisis here. Almost half of these (7,260) went to children.

A lot of this stems from delays in benifit entitlements. Maybe our government can set aside their petty differences and implement new policy’s. It’s in our power as a country to end the need for food banks. This can change. We can only hope and pray!

https://cabfoodbanksuu.wordpress.com/list-of-food-banks/

Stop the Betrayal Act: Preserve the Union

Yesterday evening members of Dalaradia attended the “Stop the Betrayal Act: Preserve the Union” rally at the iconic Ulster Hall.

Just like in 1912 and 1986, thousands gathered United in their uncompromising message of resistance to not only this deal, but the eradication of everything we hold dear. Many unionists are strongly critical of the revised plan because it would see Northern Ireland treated differently from the rest of the United Kingdom, something we will not accept.

Key speakers included Nigel Dodds of the DUP and Jim Allister of the TUV in what was a show of unity, country before party. Other speakers included Ron McDowell (MC), Joel Keys (Robert Quigg), John Ross, Elise (Lady Londonderry), Stacey Graham, Blane Bailey (Lord Carson), John Graham (Private Graham), Moore Holmes and Emma Shaw.

On 12th December we must use our power to afford us a rightful voice. The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.

We cannot be the generation that fails Ulster.

Protect the Union