The Gaitherin begins Thursday at 10pm on BBC Two NI
Date Posted: June 9, 2014
BBC Northern Ireland launches a topical new monthly magazine series celebrating the culture, language and lives of the Ulster-Scots. The Gaitherin which begins on Thursday, June 12 on BBC Two Northern Ireland at 10pm is presented by Helen Mark.
Over the coming weeks and months The Gaitherin team will be taking to the road, out and about all over Northern Ireland from Groomsport to Portrush and beyond meeting up with local people as they gather together to share songs, poetry, history and comedy all related to the Ulster-Scots tradition.
Each programme will be pre-recorded a short time in advance of broadcast and will also include films about local people who are learning and loving the Ulster-Scots way of life. From the couple who are planning an Ulster-Scots wedding – how can they source Ulster-Scots food, clothes and music for their big day and will they find someone who can lead them in their vows in Ulster-Scots?
The series also follows the fortunes of 13-year-old Kyle and 10-year-old Zoe as they begin their quest to become champions in the world of pipe music, while Anne Morrison-Smyth brings Ulster-Scots poetry to local schools and Fintan Walsh and Nick Brannon consider the influence of Ulster-Scots through archaeological digs and archive footage.
The Gaitherin team’s first stop will be Groomsport in County Down, where Helen introduces an evening packed full of entertainment with music from the Broken String Band.
A range of guests will join Helen for what promises to be a celebration of Ulster-Scots music, arts and culture.
Helen Mark said: ““As a Scot living here for many years now I feel, in a small way, part of that long and fascinating story of the connections between Northern Ireland and Scotland. So to be involved in ‘The Gaitherin’ taking a fresh and modern day approach to Ulster-Scots is something I shall relish.”
The Gaitherin has been produced by Tern Television with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund.
