Bluegrass concert kicks off Cairncastle Ulster Scots event

Bending The Strings, a traditional bluegrass band from the Midlands, set the foot-stamping trend in the big marquee in the style of Flatt and Scruggs, The Stanley Brothers and the Great Bill Monroe.

The Juke Joint, formerly known as Tennessee Hennessees, from Co Armagh, will also be on stage with Barnstormers from Co Londonderry, who have played at various bluegrass events in Ireland and Scotland

Traditional Ulster Scots/Scottish evenings follow on Thursday 28, Friday 29 and Saturday 30 evenings. The Thursday sees a number of Ulster Scots folk bands making their first appearance at a Cairncastle festival including Skullduggery, a five-piece band formed a year ago, who have just recently released their first CD.

Berneagh, from Co Armagh, includes mark Wilson, percussion drummer who featured in the BBC Santer programme.

The Rightly On Folk Band from Magherafelt is made up of young musician who are making a name for themselves and have just recently returned from performing in Scotland. The evening will finish with a performance by the Itchy Fingers.

Friday features Dick Black’s Ceilidh band from West Lothain, one of the most popular Ceilidh bands in Scotland.

Maiden City Beat, from Londonderry, is a highly talented folk band of young musicians, and Dalriada Folk are a newly formed four-piece band who will make their debut at the festival. The evening will finish with the ever popular Grousebeaters.

Saturday will be the traditional soiree evening, featuring up to 40 musicians (fiddle players, accordion, flutes, tin whistle, banjos, guitars and various other instruments with participants from Northern Ireland, Donegal and Scotland who will all play together. The evening will be compered by Cecil Knox, a well-known Ulster Scots musician from Whitehead.

After the soiree, a dance will take place in the Halfway House Hotel, Ballygally, commencing shortly after the end of the soiree featuring the Tartan Lads.

A musical bus tour will take place on Thursday 28, leaving Larne at 10am taking in Ulster Scots landmarks in East and North Antrim. Price £15.00 includes a three-course meal and tickets are available in Larne Tourist Information Centre.

Traditional dancing will be held on Friday 29 at 2pm in Cairncastle Presbyterian Church Hall to the music of Dick Black’s Band.

Lectures taking place during the festival are: Ulster Scots history by Dr Fraser Agnew on Wednesday 28 at 2pm in the marquee; Ulster Scots storytelling by Charlie Gillen on Saturday 30t at 2pm; Ulster Scots music and history by Iain Carlile and Matthew Warick on Saturday 30 at 2pm; Scottish Country and Highland Dance origins, skills, techniques etc by Michelle Johnston and Ruth Barnes on Saturday 30 at 2pm.

Sunday 31 will close the Festival with an Ulster Scots praise service with various musicians and singers who performed during the festival, commencing at 2.30pm. Last year the service attracted about 300 people.