Wednesday February 12
By Dr Paddy Fitzgerald, Lecturer & Development Officer at the Mellon Centre for Migration Studies,Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh.
"This presentation seeks to explore more fully the heritage and cultural identity of those who may deem themselves in the early twenty first century to be ‘Ulster-English’. A primary question to be considered is why this ethnic identity remains so much less prominent in our collective consciousness today than either ‘Ulster-Scots’ or ‘Ulster-Irish’. Looking towards the future, it will be argued that much of the richness which characterises the province’s cultural life derives from the constant exchange and interplay between these three ethnic groups and the sense of ‘throughotherness’ which resulted."
Thursday February 20
By S Alex Blair, popular local historian
"The Gaelic language still exerts a big influence on the sound and colour, rhythm and texture of our Ulster speech. However the speech is basically the English which the Planters brought to our northern province. It mingles with the Gaelic in an interesting and colourful harmony which is recognised beyond our shores.
This is a talk full of humour which will give us a better understanding of the way we speak and help us to appreciate the united heritage we have in the words we use each day."
All talks take place in Ballymoney Town Hall at 8pm.
Admission £2 includes refreshments.
