East Donegal Ulster-Scots

The Best of Sarah Leech
Edited by Celine Mc Glynn and Dr Pauline Holland

Published by Voice Books Ltd, Donegal. ISBN 0-9539265-4-0

'The twenty-five poems by which we remember Sarah Leech span the narrow territory which divides Ulster-Scots poetry from song. Weavers and spinners tempered the medium of their work with a rhythm created by chanting and became reliant on this chanting for ease of coordination and maximum efficiency..... The entire body of Leech's poetry is written and in the repeated drumbeat of the iambic foot, and we can almost hear the treadle of the spinning wheel when we read her work aloud. Just as insistent are the nuances of Ulster-Scots life - the emphasis on work, the dour thrift, the loyalties and enmities, the rhythms of the farming year, the unshakeable religious faith and the dry wicked humour'
Dr Pauline Holland

Epistle

Address to a Cricket

To Mr Richard Ramsey
On perusing his beautiful address to the author

At gloamin' when the twilight fa',
And songsters to their nests withdrawn,
A cricket, snugh behind the wa',
Supplies their place,
And in corner sings fu' braw,
Wi' unco grace.

When younkers scamper, ane by aye,
And dowie I am left alane,
You cheer my heart wi'hamely strain,
Or shrill toned chirple,
As cozie roun' the warm hearth-stane,
You nightly hirple.

May wae befa'them, that would gie
A fiddler penny or bawbee,
When they can have sic music free,
Withouten stent-
Much fitter they should keep the fee,
To help their rent.

What tho' your note be aye the same,
In grateful strain I sing your name,
Weel might my muse blush deep wi' shame,
Should she neglect,
To greet you in her humble hame,
Wi' due respect.

And when the nipping frosty win',
Blaws frae the North with whistling din,
Or wintry floods roar o'er the linn,
In foam and spray,
I shall wi' crumbs, when night sets in,
Requite your lay.

Sarah Leech

Wi'beck weel-teeth'd and spit renew'd,
I sat me down to spin contented;
And your address to me reviewed,
Which set my head amaist demented.

My muse, impelled by gratitude,
Resolv'd your kindness to acknowledge,
Tho' it be in verses rude,
You ken I ne'er was at a college

I am unskill'd in classic lore,
Tho' I sometimes mak' Scotch clink pat in-
Nae authors sage can I explore,
Like those who speak the Greek and Latin:

My muse kens nought o'Sappho's lays,
Who sung sublime on soaring pinion:
O! how the neighbours round would gaze,
If I love-struck, should leap off Binion!

My Pegasus now fain would sink-
Grown dizzy wi'sic classic matter-
So I maun light, and let him drink
A draught o'Foyle's inspring water.

Then, fare you weel, may you ha'e health,
My correspondent, kind adviser-
And as you wish I may get wealth,
I, in return, pray you'll grow wiser;

Sarah Leech

Burt Scottish Country Dancers

The Burt Scottish Country Dance Club are a group of enthusiastic dedicated people who have a common interest - Dancing.

Their primary aim is to preserve and celebrate the Ulster Scot tradition throughout the border area and beyond.

So if you would like social exercises and good Scottish music, why not come along and join in the fun. Learn the traditional reels, jigs and strathspeys of Scotland.

They meet most Friday nights [except during July and August] in Burt Presbyterian Church Hall at 8.00pm.

For further information contact: Linda or Ken at 028 71344290

Watch Stuart Buchannon

Singing and Accordian

Scot song

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On Fiddle

Shoe the Donkey

Annie Laurie

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Newtowncunningham Fiddle Practice

Newtowncunningham Accordian Band

The band practices in Newtowncunningham Orange hall on a Monday night and if you are interested in learning to play the accordian, come along or telephone 087 297 3169

Newtowncunningham Accordian Band was formed in early 2005. Its members come from the greater Newtowncunningham area and has an age range from 7 to over 70.

Since its formation, it has taken part in various events and parades in the local area as well as further afield. Its first appearance was at the annual concert in Newtowncunningham Orange hall in May 2005. Since then its has taken part in the Grand Master charity appeal pageant in Ballymena in May 06 representing bands from County Donegal, as well as leading the last Saturday Royal Black demonstration at Raphoe in 2005. It also provided the music for the platform proceedings as well on that day.
As well as 12th parades at Rossnowlagh and Londonderry, it has lead several church services in the East Donegal area during the last years.

Next year, the band hopes to purchase a new uniform and already has started to work raising funds for this.

Moyne Pipe Band

Moyne Pipe Band was formed in 1952 having previously been a flute band and before that, fifes and drums. James McBride from Convoy was the first man to tutor Moyne Pipe Band. The first pipe major was Willie Kee. The band’s main day out was to the Twelfth celebration in Co. Donegal where they led Moyne L.O.L. 1145. The band also travelled to the Twelfth of July demonstrations in Northern Ireland for many years.
Moyne and Laghey R.B.P. 397 also gave Moyne Pipe Band the opportunity to pipe in the August parades. A full highland uniform was worn by the members of Moyne Pipe Band. 1989 saw Moyne Pipe Band with a change of tartan but still holding the full highland dress until 1997, when the
change was made to a dress uniform. The band’s second Pipe Major was Freddie Scott. He was Pipe Major until 1992. In 1994 Stephen McElhinney took over as Pipe Major, Scott McElhinney as Pipe Sergeant and David Morrow as Drum Sergeant. These men are still in these positions today.

Nowadays, Moyne Pipe Band has become closely associated to Moyne Ulster Scots Association. This gives the band more opportunity to pipe at different events and concerts. Many a lively concert has been held at Cully Hall! The band has also performed for other Ulster Scots Associations in the vicinity, most recently in Donegal Town Castle. In 2005 Moyne Pipe Band entered Drumquin’s annual competition for non-graded bands. They achieved second place in piping and fourth place overall. In 2006, the band wanted to give it another go and this time came home with first place for their piping and first place overall. This was a great achievement for Moyne Pipe Band as it was only the second time for the band to compete.