Latest news with #Ulster-Scots
Belfast Telegraph
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
GB News Twelfth coverage chaos as ‘gutted' historian Dr Gavin Hughes pulls out following insect bite
GB News' live coverage of this year's Twelfth celebrations has been thrown into chaos after resident historical expert and Dame Arlene Foster's right hand man for the broadcast has been forced to pull out at the last minute. Dr Gavin Hughes has been a regular alongside the former First Minister to lend his expert knowledge and anecdotes and was due to contribute to Saturday's coverage of parades in NI. However the academic has suffered a 'misadventure' after being bitten by an insect during a 'field research incident' which triggered a bad allergic reaction that has forced him to reluctantly vacate his seat for the live broadcast set to come from a sun-kissed Coleraine. 'Would you believe it, I've had a misadventure,' Dr Hughes told the Belfast Telegraph. 'Unfortunately I won't be able to do the broadcast and I'm absolutely gutted. 'I was out looking at 1798 farmsteads and churches in County Down (as you do), and got really badly bitten by something. I've now had an extreme allergic reaction. 'One very swollen arm and call to local GP later, I've just started a course of 'sun-sensitive' antibiotics and been told by the doctor in no uncertain terms to rest, avoid using the arm too much and stay inside. 'The perils of archaeological field-research!' The Director of the Irish Conflict Archaeology Network at the Trinity Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies in Trinity College Dublin was due to accompany Dame Arlene to provide insights into the pageantry. Actor Charlie Lawson will also help cover the spectacle with reporter Dougie Beattie taking to the streets to mingle with spectators. Dr Hughes has been a key feature of the GB News coverage since the broadcaster stepped in to fill the void left when BBC NI pulled out of screening The Twelfth live in 2022. Earlier this week Dame Arlene said she was looking forward to another year of twelfth coverage, posting on X: 'This year @GBNEWS will be bringing you The Twelfth live from Coleraine with all the usual gang. See you then.' GB News has been contacted for comment. 'Hate incident' Co Tyrone bonfire topped with migrant effigy lit At this stage it's unclear whether it will be able to find a replacement for Dr Hughes, who has spent several weeks prepping for the big day. Chief Executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency, Ian Crozier, is also due to take part in the programme due to air between 10am-noon on Saturday. And this year the broadcaster is extending its focus on the day with a new historical documentary – co-produced by the TV network and Féinics Productions – exploring the untold story of how Ulster-Scots helped to shape early America. Architects of America: Foundations of Freedom, funded by Northern Ireland Screen's Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund, will air at midnight on Saturday 12 July. 'The documentary explores Colonial Ulster-Scots life and how ordinary men and women from Ulster arrived in a new world and built their future: from spinning wheels in the linen trade, to flax farming and land cultivation, to the rise of ironworks and maritime commerce - including the shadow world of covert trade,' the broadcaster previously announced. 'These industries and individuals laid the groundwork for revolution. 'Filmed across key locations in Ireland and the United States, this special news programme builds on previous coverage of the Glorious Revolution and The Great Migration, charting the rise of the Great Awakening in 18th-century America - a new era of ideals fuelled by the desire for economic, cultural, and religious freedom.'
Belfast Telegraph
08-07-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
GB News to air documentary on Ulster-Scots influence in America after Twelfth coverage
The documentary by GB News correspondent Dougie Beattie will follow live coverage of the Twelfth, which will be led by Dame Arlene Foster. Coleraine has been chosen as the location for the broadcaster's live coverage this year. It was chosen for its historic link to the first organised migration from Ulster to America in the early 1700s. Mrs Foster has been a regular part of GB News' Twelfth coverage. The channel stepped in three years ago after the BBC stopped its live coverage. Last year, former Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson teamed up with Mrs Foster for coverage from Carrickfergus. He will be joining Chief Executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency, Ian Crozier, and former military historian Dr Gavin Hughes as part of the coverage this year. The new documentary, Architects of America: Foundations of Freedom, is funded by Northern Ireland Screen's Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund and will air at midnight on Saturday 12 July. The broadcaster said the documentary uncovers the deep economic, cultural and spiritual legacy carried by Ulster-Scots migrants who helped lay the foundations for American independence. They added: 'Filmed across key locations in Ireland and the United States, this special news programme builds on previous coverage of the Glorious Revolution and The Great Migration, charting the rise of the Great Awakening in 18th-century America - a new era of ideals fuelled by the desire for economic, cultural, and religious freedom. "The documentary explores Colonial Ulster-Scots life and how ordinary men and women from Ulster arrived in a new world and built their future: from spinning wheels in the linen trade, to flax farming and land cultivation, to the rise of ironworks and maritime commerce - including the shadow world of covert trade. These industries and individuals laid the groundwork for revolution. 'With expert interviews, rich location footage, and the thoughtful use of modern digital techniques, the programme brings history to life with clarity and depth. 'A specially arranged soundtrack, developed under the creative direction of Féinics Productions, blends traditional instrumentation with contemporary compositional tools to reflect the emotional arc of the story - from sorrow to hope and resilience to triumph - allowing each piece to resonate with the journey on screen.'
Belfast Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Clogher Valley community festival to celebrate ‘shared heritage' of area
The Clogher Valley festival programme will begin with the Lisgenny Band Parade in Aughnacloy at 8pm tomorrow — a celebration of Ulster-Scots music and traditional bands. On Sunday, the community will gather for the Annahoe Orange and Purple District Parade and Service, at Ballygawley Presbyterian Church at 7.30pm, led by Crilly Pipe Band. The Ballygawley Family Fun Night and Duck Race will be held at Coronation Field on Tuesday July 8 from 7pm. There will be live music, BBQ, games, bouncy castles, and the hotly contested duck race on the night. Vigil takes place in Donaghadee for Sarah Montgomery On Wednesday night there will be a talk at Ballynanny Black Hall at 7.30pm by renowned historian Quincey Dougan, speaking about the legacy of the Clogher Valley Volunteers. The week concludes on Friday July 11 with the much-anticipated Proms on the Pitch, taking place at the Roughan 3G Pitch from 7.30pm. There will be live performances from Roughan Silver Band, Brookeborough Flute Band, Stewartstown Orange Ladies Choir, and international soloists Lauren Kells and Andrew Irwin. Families can enjoy food and children's entertainment before the grand bonfire finale and a stirring Last Night of the Proms singalong. One of the festival organisers, Allister Erskine, said: 'This festival is more than just a schedule of events — it's a celebration of identity, unity, and community pride. It's about our shared heritage, vibrant local culture, and the enduring spirit of togetherness that defines the Valley.' For details, check out the Clogher Valley Community Festival Facebook page.
Irish Independent
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Donal Fallon: Belfast's Irish language row is all about identity politics, not culture differences
Despite pushback against signage in main train station, as Gaeilge is making inroads Depressingly, the saga over Irish language signage in Belfast's Grand Central Station continues in the Northern Irish courts, with communities minister Gordon Lyons intervening this week in the judicial review taken by loyalist activist Jamie Bryson. In a city where the Irish language and Ulster-Scots tradition have both played their part in shaping the landscape (see Church Wynd and Purdysburn Hill for examples of the latter), contemporary identity politics have completely overshadowed all cultural concerns, turning something as simple as inclusive signage into a political battlefield.
Belfast Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Ill-fated show dubbed 'Protestant answer to Riverdance' is cancelled again ‘over poor ticket sales'
On Eagle's Wing plagued by problems from the outset A heavily publicised US revival of the ill-fated Ulster-Scots musical On Eagle's Wing has been abandoned again amid claims of poor ticket sales and no pay for actors. Producers had vowed that the show, once dubbed the 'Protestant answer to Riverdance', would go on in Philadelphia despite the death last year of John Anderson, its Northern Irish composer. The BBC and UTV producer also led a big band that was behind the Jive Bunny hits of the 80s and 90s.
