Northern Star Learning
An Ulster-Scots Learning Project
This Ulster-Scots Learning Project comprises five films and a quiz which shine a light on the day to day life of the traditional rural lifestyle of an Ulster-Scot. The series explores themes of heritage and language, food that would have been eaten, a sustainable lifestyle, living off the land and arts and culture. The films combine to give a rich picture of the lives of those with Ulster-Scots roots hailing from the countryside.
Northern Star Learning is committed to increasing the understanding of local language, craft and tradition in a fun and entertaining way. Outward facing and international in ambition, we are committed to expanding this knowledge to people of all ages and abilities.
Click on the links and take the challenge to find out how much you know about Ulster heritage.
Lang Lang Ago
Ulster-Scots poet, Charlie Gillen talks about the importance of language and culture from a rural perspective. He draws from the well of his childhood memories and uses traditional Ulster-Scots words and language, some of which may be familiar even today.
Stones That Remain
The sustainable art of building dry stone walls without machines or mortar has been a tradition in the Mournes for over four thousand years. Ulster-Scot stonemason, Mark Hanna reveals how this intricate craft inspires him to write poetry about the beauty and strength of the granite walls.
Food In Yer Belly
The delicious fadge is made from leftover potatoes and cooked over an open fire on a griddle. In this film Diane Bailie uses traditional techniques to make fadge which sustained people as they worked in the fields.
The Mossbank
In this film the Hanna brothers explore the tradition of digging turf from a bog to keep the house warm throughout the year. They also explore how the role of the traditional bog is shifting, becoming an important element in preventing climate change.
Music For The Soul
The fiddle is not the only musical instrument with connections to the Ulster-Scots community. Ulster- Scots violinist Madeleine McDowell feels that music enhances life. Here she plays traditional hymn-based tunes which feed the spirit after a hard day’s work in the fields.