Ulster-Scots night held in Union
The recent Ulster-Scots event organised within the Union was an attempt to address the imbalance of students using the facilities at Queen's according to the Student Community Action Officer within the Union. Edward Hanna has said he dedicated his second year in office to making Protestant students feel more welcome within the Union.
According to a report published by the University, Protestant students followed closely behind international students in being the two most under-represented groups at Queen's. Having worked on raising the profile of international students last year attention was turned to the second group. Mr Hanna said, "I feel this concert not only gives the Ulster Scots Culture a firm grounding at Queens students Union, it also gives the Protestant community/culture a welcome revival to what had gone previously within the Union. "
The event was hailed as a great success by the SCA officer who noted the diverse nature of the crowd which saw students "from both communities and also Chinese, Asian and Czechs, and 2 Americans". Crossgar Pipe entertained for 40 min before Mourne Young Defenders " stole the show with an 80min world class display". Beggars Row, an Irish/Scottish celtic group then took over for the rest of the evening.
There have been some allegations of 'No Surrender' chants by a few within the crowd but so far these are unsubstantiated and Mr Hanna has said he will have a look at a video recording of the event to establish whether these allegations are true or not.
Overall the SCA officer was proud of the 300 crowd who turned up and stated that he hopes this event will become an annual event. Perhaps the Irish Folk Music Society will hold an evening in the Union next.
According to a report published by the University, Protestant students followed closely behind international students in being the two most under-represented groups at Queen's. Having worked on raising the profile of international students last year attention was turned to the second group. Mr Hanna said, "I feel this concert not only gives the Ulster Scots Culture a firm grounding at Queens students Union, it also gives the Protestant community/culture a welcome revival to what had gone previously within the Union. "
The event was hailed as a great success by the SCA officer who noted the diverse nature of the crowd which saw students "from both communities and also Chinese, Asian and Czechs, and 2 Americans". Crossgar Pipe entertained for 40 min before Mourne Young Defenders " stole the show with an 80min world class display". Beggars Row, an Irish/Scottish celtic group then took over for the rest of the evening.
There have been some allegations of 'No Surrender' chants by a few within the crowd but so far these are unsubstantiated and Mr Hanna has said he will have a look at a video recording of the event to establish whether these allegations are true or not.
Overall the SCA officer was proud of the 300 crowd who turned up and stated that he hopes this event will become an annual event. Perhaps the Irish Folk Music Society will hold an evening in the Union next.
posted by Gown Team at
2:44 pm
12 Comments:
Good man Eddie- Glad to see a member of the Executive doing constructive work
I was at the event an lets say I wopuld not really be from the Ulster Scots Culture, but the SCA officer made me feel welcome (Knowing this.
I think I heard one shout of No Surrender from one person during the ballet, but it was ignored.
Good night.
Glad to see as member of student staff putting in some hard work
There were certainly no chants of "No Surrender" it was a night of traditional Ulster Scots music. It was well attended and enjoyed by many, many of whom were not from an Ulster Scots background
I also attended the concert and am not from an Ulster-Scots background. Nevertheless I was made extremely welcome and could appreciate the talent of the musicians performing.
It is not surprising that others may try to criticise the concert and make unsubstantiated allegations in attacking it. One must ask why they feel the need to engage in this mindless cat-calling and sniping. Perhaps when they see other exec officers actually achieving things they feel insecure about what they themselves have done in their role.
It was also disappointing that the cultural affairs officer did not put in an appearance. I am informed that all exec officers received tickets and it is a clear failure on her part not to bother attending. What exactly has Miss Simpson been doing with her £500+ budget?? However, I’m sure the mystery women will reappear before the non sabbatical elections, asking us to back one of her fellow Sinn Fein members for the post.
Hate to correct you but all executive members were not given tickets. I had intended to attend but could not due to unforeseen circumstances.
Dave,
Sorry I meant all executive members who actually have a constructive role to play, not merely an SU hack who only got a meaningly position as a keep quiet from the dua.
All staff within the Union were given tickets. They were put in their pigeon hole.
I am sorry David that you do not have a place in the office but you were invited at executive and knew were to get the free tickets
I am sorry you could not make it, it would have been nice to have you their
SCA
Just to quash any suggestions to the contrary the DUA have not been involved in any attempts to silence David McKeown, though in fairness he does go on a bit sometimes.
Sometimes? Thats maybe a bit kind.
What a night- Good to see a concert reflective of the community at Queens
I live in Fermanagh and travelled all the way to Belfast Students Union. I am a mum of twins who are both hopefully going to queens next year.#
I am so glad that the students union is not the dark place for protestants when I was there. I am glad to see someone who takes an interest in readdressing the imbalance which is spoken about even in Fermanagh.
Good to hear so many cultures took an interet in coming
GOOD LUCK
Shenia xo
No Surrender? Isn't that what the Ulster-Scots cried at Derry's Walls in 1689? Whats so bad about that? It was an Ulster-Scots night was it not?
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