The following information appears on the Mid-Armagh Community Network website (www.markethillulster-scots.org) and is reproduced here with permission.
“Mid-Armagh Community Network, as part of its initial programme of activities started Scottish Country Dancing for young people in September 1998. From this initial class of 10 to 15 young people, we have grown considerably to three weekly classes, Adults, Juniors and Seniors.
“Our dance tutor, Mrs Hilary Singleton, was the sole instigation in setting up a section in Portadown Festival for Scottish Country Dancing. This Scottish Country Dancing festival was held for the very first time in April 2000. This is the only competitive forum for Scottish Country Dancing in Northern Ireland. All Scottish Country Dancing groups right across the province compete, and our Markethill Ulster-Scots Dancers brought home three of the major trophies at last year’s Festival on the 2nd April 2001. Scottish Country Dancing is increasingly being included within the Primary School cirriculum, and all schools are invited to attend the Festival.”
Mid-Armagh Community Network also runs a very successful Ulster-Scots fiddle class. Under the name of “Fiddle Steeks”, the class has performed before the public to some acclaim. The class currently consists of “16 people, both young and not so young , under the skillful guidance of Keith Lyttle from Waringstown in Co Armagh. Keith is teaching them skills which their forefathers had in abundance and we are delighted that some have brought along their own ‘family’ fiddles on which they wish to learn to play.”
In the accompanying audio recording, Myrtle McGuinness, Development Officer for the Ulster-Scots organisation Mid-Armagh Community Network (MACN), describes their programme of cultural events and her own appreciation of her Ulster-Scots identity.
Use the audio controller to listen to this talk, given in 2003.