Ulster Scots Words, Phrases, Humour, Tradition and Video Archive.
The Ark Open Farm - Newtownards
In this episode Liam & Jane are discussing some of the wonderful Ulster Scots words for amounts. With the help of some cute animals at the Ark Open Farm near Newtownwards, we discover what a Wheen, Twathree, Lock and Clatter all mean.
Belfast Castle
We’re stepping back in time in this episode with a visit to beautiful Belfast Castle in Cavehill Country Park. The regal surroundings are perfect for Liam to tell us the story of Robert Quigg, from Bushmills, who received the Victoria Cross from King George V for his bravery at the Battle of the Somme. But of course in Ulster Scots, Brave doesn’t just mean courageous. Take a minute to watch and you’ll learn a Brave bit.
Breads
In this mouth watering episode, Liam & Jane have fired up the griddle at Arthur’s Cottage, Cullybackey. The Ulster Scots kitchen is renowned for its selection of bread products, as part of the Ulster Fry or indeed at any time of the day. Carbs are very much on the menu! We explore what a Soda Farl, Dropped Scone, Fadge and Slim are. So make yourself a Wee Drap of Tay, pull up a seat and enjoy.
Highland Dancing at the Sollus Centre
Everyone loves a Hooley and at the Sollus Centre near Strabane they are the experts. More than nine hundred people use this facility to train as dancers and we met up with a piper and dancer to show us how it’s done. You’ve got to be Quare and Soople to be a dancer and Liam explains that at a Hooley he likes to get Cleeked on to his dancing partner. And then there’s the origin of the US Dollar sign. Watch to find out more.
Brochan
We’re in Arthur’s Cottage, Cullybackey and Liam is whipping up an Ulster Scots breakfast favourite. In the ancestral homestead of Chester A Arthur, the 27th President of the United States, the duo enjoy A Boul of Brochan with Liam dispensing some Ulster Scots wisdom to round off the episode.
Codology at St George’s Market Belfast
Jane and Liam visit the market to buy some cod and explore the Ulster Scots word Codology which of course has no relation to fish at all!
Stop Yer Aul Codology!
Castle Espie
On the shores of Strangford Lough, Co. Down, Castle Espie Wetland Nature Reserve is home to a vast array of our feathered friends. It’s the perfect backdrop to explore some Ulster Scots words for species of bird. Discover what a Whap, Heatherbleat and Pyyet are and where that widely used term Bake comes from - so shut yours and have a watch!
Gobbins
It’s been described as the most dramatic coastal path in Europe and the Gobbins Cliff path near Larne doesn’t disappoint. Join Liam and Jane as they navigate the walkway, and discover what would happen if they Coped!
Donaghadee
It’s an old fashioned trip to the seaside today and over some ice-cream, Liam and Jane discuss the Ulster Scots words and phrases for being fond of your grub. It’s not long before both of them start Culfin their cones.
Fishing in Fermanagh
Jane returns to her home County of Fermanagh in this episode and tries her hand at something she hasn’t done since she was a wee girl or Cutty as we like to say in Ulster Scots.. fishing. With Liam’s help, she hooks a Quare big pike and discovers a Hook isn’t just something to catch a fish.
The Grand Opera House Belfast
Charlie Chaplin, Luciano Pavarotti, Darcey Bussell , they’ve all treaded the boards here, but today it’s double act Liam and Jane visiting the stunningly restored Grand Opera House in Belfast. As usual, there’s a bit of acting the Gype and Pantomime favourite May McFettrige makes an appearance
Devinish Island Lough Erne for Tay
This was a wonderful October day on Lough Erne, blue sky and sun reflecting on the clear waters at Devinish Island. Steering the boat is thirsty work so reason enough to boil the kettle and enjoy a Wee Drap o Tay. Jane has a right Druth on her and Liam’s looking for a Squig of milk in his cup.
The Railway Museum Whitehead Co Antrim
Food is never far from the agenda, and this episode dissects the constituent parts of a breakfast classic, The Ulster Fry Discover how it’s different from a Full English or a Full Irish all in the delightful surroundings of the Platform 3 cafe at Whitehead Railway Museum.
Somme 2
We’re back at the Somme Museum and continuing our journey in the trenches of World War 1. Discover more about the appalling conditions of trench warfare, how soldiers had to Jook and get down on their Hunkers and the overwhelming Steuch that would have permeated everything.
Weather
Weather - it’s our favourite topic of conversation in these parts, and the lush backdrop of Crawfordsburn Country Park on a wet morning, is the perfect location to discuss just some of the many Ulster Scots words for rain. Discover Skiff, Smur and Plump with Liam and Jane looking a little bit Drookit by the end of the episode!
Fly
Liam was hoping to jet off somewhere exotic, but Jane has taken him down to explore the Ulster Aviation Museum near Lisburn. They don’t fly anywhere, but discover aircraft aplenty and if you’re called Fly by an Ulster Scots speaker, it isn’t a compliment!
Linen
It’s a trip to the Irish Linen Centre in Lisburn to discover some of the Ulster Scots connections to the weaving of linen. Jane tries her hand at some spinning, and Liam spins a few yarns about Lint, Stooks, Retting and Linen Greens. We also discover the impact Londonderry Linen had across the pond!
The Walls of Derry/Londonderry and the Siege Museum
We are back in the days of the Siege in the Maiden City and exploring words like Weeflas and Weechils to describe how young the Apprentice Boys were when they closed the gates against invading Jacobite forces. In the Siege Museum we learn how the city starved and people had to eat their Dooags to stay alive.
The Somme Museum Conlig
The Somme Museum outside Bangor, County Down, remembers the best known battle of the Great War and its huge significance to Northern Ireland and Ulster Scots Heritage. The museum’s recreation of a World War 1 trench, provides the backdrop for Liam to describe the conditions the troops would have endured - the Glar, Clabber and Stoor.
Titanic
It’s the world’s most famous ship, so we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit the Titanic Visitor Experience in Belfast, on the site where the Titanic was actually built. Back in 1910, you would have heard lots of Ulster Scots words and phrases out in the shipyard, we uncover some of them in this episode.
