James Orr and Ballycarry

I was up in Ballycarry last Friday and had the camera in the car. This is the grave/memorial of James Orr, the Bard of Ballycarry (1770 - 1816) - brief biography here. This coming weekend sees the annual "Broadisland Gathering" in the village, with its focus the regular Saturday Ulster-Scots festival. Worth visiting if you can get the time to go up.

Sweet to the boons that blythely enter
At dinner-time, the graise in centre
Champ't up wi' kail, that pey the planter
Beans, pa'snips, peas!
Gash! cud a cautious Covenanter
Wait for the grace

(from James Orr's To The Potatoe)

....

Here's a run-down of the Festival's activities this year:

September 3, 2009, 8pm
Gathering Reception Night, Ballycarry Community Centre, admission free
featuring the Lost River String Band, re-enactors, presentations, and tea. Come along and help launch the 17th Broadisland Gathering!

September 4, 2009, 7pm
History Hike around Ballycarry, starting at the community centre; visit some of the historic sites of the village and learn more about the local history and stories from the area in the company of Dr. David Hume. Accompanied by a piper, contribution £2.00 per adult. To book a space phone 028 28 274589.

September 5, 2009, 12 noon to 5pm
Enjoy the 17th annual Broadisland Gathering with its rich variety of music, pageantry, stalls, displays and exhibitions. A historical display will be on show in the Old Presbyterian Church. New groups this year include Risin Stour, the Seven Towers Ceilidh Band and Clontibrit Pipe Band from County Monaghan.

September 5, 2009, 8pm
Ballyearl Arts Centre, Newtownabbey
The Broadisland Gathering goes outside Ballycarry with an Ulster Scots concert to celebrate the 17th Gathering. Session Beat will be headline group for the event, along with the Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band and other entertainment, and tickets are only £10.00 and should be pre-booked. This promises to be a fantastic evening, and your support would be welcome. To book tickets phone 028 90 848287.