Donaghadee Ulster-Scots Festival 2025

Hert and Hame – The Ulster Scots Festival

Friday 15th -17th August

Donaghadee was the main port of entry for Scottish settlers moving to Ulster when Hugh Montgomery arrived in May 1606. The Hamilton and Montgomery Settlement was the first permanent, large-scale Scottish settlement in Ireland and it was these settlers who would first be described (in 1640) as "Ulster Scots". This three day festival celebrates the town’s strong Ulster Scots connection through talks, food, music and dance. Unless otherwise stated events will take place in a tented village
erected in the former Translink site generously made available by Urban
Properties Solutions Limited. Entry is free.

The programme has been planned by a group consisting of John Caldwell, Shirley Cochrane, Trevor Conway, Adrian Kerr, Jon McKinley, Denis Waterworth and Harold Weir.

Find out more about Ulster-Scots in Donaghadee

From 1st – 17th August
Ulster Scots Word competition for Children Aged 6-12
Town centre
Local businesses will have an Ulster-Scots word displayed in their
windows, children must then list the word for each participating business
together with its meaning. Forms can be obtained from each
participating business and completed forms can be left into Bow Bells or
Dunn’s Footwear. All correct entries will be entered into a draw and a
winner chosen at random. Prize £50 Argos voucher with runners -up
prizes.

Friday 15th August
11am Churchyard Tour with Dr Tom Neill
Organised by Donaghadee Historical Society
Visit the graves and hear something of the storiessurrounding the earliest Ulster Scots settlers.

12noon–9pm | An Exhibition of Ulster Scots
Organised by Donaghadee Historical Society and Donaghadee Heritage Preservation Society
An exhibition about the Ulster Scots in the Ards. Find your lost relatives with help and support from experienced researchers from Family History North Down and Ards

12noon | Donaghadee Tartan
Organised by Creative Donaghadee
Pupils form Donaghadee Primary School learned about the significance of the tartan and then designed one to represent Donaghadee. The tartan has been produced
and will be unveiled.

12.30pm | ‘Emigration from Ulster to America in the Eighteenth Century’
A talk by William Roulston

2pm | ‘Who were the first inhabitants of Ulster?
A talk by Sharon Benson
It may come as a surprise but the original inhabitants of
Ulster were named the Pretani amongst other names
and were here before the Gaels. Sharon Benson will
give a short informative talk on the subject

2pm – 4pm | Children's Games
Carol Regan
Traditional games for children

7pm | Kirkistown Pipe Band
The band was first formed in 1946 and ran successfully until 1983. It reformed in 1999 and now competes regularly in competitions wearing the Davidson tartan.

8pm - 9pm | Ceilidh with Risin’ Stour
Organised by Donaghadee Community Development Association
Rising Stour are one of Ulster’s top Scottish Ceilidh bands, playing a lively collection of marches, jigs, reels and strathspeys on accordian and fiddle. A caller will ensure that we all step out in the right direction.

Saturday 16th August

11am - 4pm | Exhibition Continues

11am - 4pm | Food Fair and Food Demonstrations
Organised by Donaghadee Community Development Association
Local food producers will have stalls featuring a rich variety of locally produced foods. Celebrity Chef, Jenny Bristow will be showing us how to make several tasty meals – all with an Ulster Scots influence

11.30am-12.30pm | Pipe Band Drum Majors Display and Workshop

12noon – 4pm | Craft Displays and Childrens Games
Organised by Donaghadee Community Partnership
See demonstration of various crafts with Ulster Scots roots and watch children play some of the games of the period

1pm | Ulster Fry World Championships
A competition to decide who makes the best Ulster Fry. Competitors from across Ulster will compete for the title. Last year’s competition certainly captured the public
imagination and this year’s event will surely be popular.

4pm | Donaghadee Community Choir
Once again the ladies from Donaghadee Community choir will take you on a Journey around Towns and Places of historical interest, arriving back in the Harbour of Donaghadee with some of their favourite & well-known pieces. Music Director – Mrs Judith Hall, Accompanist – Mrs Christine Cairns

4.30pm | Donaghadee Fifes and Drums
Established in 2013 to promote interest in fife and drum musical traditions, the club play traditional locally handmade (in Donaghadee) fifes together with the lambeg and traditional rope tension side drums. They play traditional tunes from both sides of the Atlantic together with some more contemporary tunes.

5.15pm | Cap on the Wall
Bangor trio Cap on the Wall, featuring father and son duo Damian and Jason McCoubrey on vocals, guitar, and percussion, along with All-Ireland champion fiddler Niall McClean, have been entertaining audiences at home and abroad for over 30 years. Known for their lively sets and toe-tapping tunes, they offer a unique style that blends folk, pop, country, and blues with a traditional twist.

6.15pm | Mind Your Head
After playing last year’s festival, Mind Your Head have been invited back to play their
brand of Blues and Rock, all inspired by musicians from an Ulster Scots background. The Donaghadee based band who comprise of brothers Trevor (Guitar and Vocals), Cliff (Guitar) and Stephen Conway (Drums) along with Colin McWilliams (Bass) will be offering Ulster Scots with a bit more Rock ‘n’ Roll.

7.15pm | Broken String Band
Bringing the very best inBluegrass, Old Timey and Acoustic Roots Music our headline act The Broken String Band are festival favourites with this being their second appearance at the festival.

Sunday 17th August

1pm - 4pm | Food Fair Continues

1pm - 4pm | Exhibition continues

1.30pm | Blood Washed Band
A family-based group devoted to acoustic instruments and celebrating the musical ties between Ulster-Scots and American traditions. Additionally, we are passionate about spreading the gospel through both word and song.

2.30pm | Fiddle Duo
Fionnuala and Gina are an Aunt and Niece duo, Gina has been learning the fiddle for the past couple of years, both are from Donaghadee and look forward to making their festival debut.

3.30pm | Kirkistown Pipe Band
The band was first formed in 1946 and ran successfully until 1983. It reformed in 1999 and now competes regularly in competitions wearing the Davidson tartan.

Saturday 16th August
Fit for Free in Donaghadee
Details on Pages 2-6

The Blackbird Market
Organised by The Blackbird
11am-3pm
Donaghadee Methodist Church Hall
A wide range of local craft and other unique stalls. Everyone welcome.
Dog friendly.

Monday 18th August
Rhythm and Rhyme
 

Tuesday 19th August
Wellbeing Walking Group
 

Painting Donaghadee Harbour for people who think they can’t paint
Organised by Sharon Regan
Donaghadee (Location to be confirmed)
2pm-4pm
A fun class where you will be introduced to the playful pleasure of
painting with acrylics, using simple techniques and hacks to enable
anyone to create a beautiful seascape of Donaghadee Harbour. I
guarentee you will surprise yourself. Cost £15, spaces limited, to book
email: sharonreganart@gmail.com

Wednesday 20th August
Women on Water
 

Introductory Drama workshops with Stephen Beggs
7pm - 8pm
Donaghadee Community Centre
All ages welcome but under 18’s must be accompanied by an
adult at all times

Thursday 21st August
Project Ella at the 'Kelly
Meet at Sir Samuel Kelly Lifeboat and Heritage Centre
4pm | Rock pooling & Beach Bioblitz – A family event for those interested in learning about the wide variety of marine life we have in and around our beaches and rock pools.
Natural Art & Craft Sessions – Fun for the young ones with craft and art
activities using beach sourced materials such as shells and sea glass.
All materials provided.
Beach & Commons Litter Pick – Join in as we tackle the problem of litter
in our precious open spaces
Project ELLA is a ground-breaking reimagining of existing Council
activities and new initiatives, Environment Learning Lifestyle Action

Saturday 23rd August
Clokey Cup Men's Open Competition
Donaghadee Golf Club
Visitors Welcome
Further details from club professional on 02891883624 ( option 2)

Fit for Free in Donaghadee
 

Lego Club
Organised by the Library
Friday’s from 11am – 12noon
Library.
Free Lego and family games for children aged 3-10yrs accompanied by
a parent or carer

Outdoor Sketching Workshop with Carl Southern
11.30am - 1.30pm
Donaghadee Community Centre:
Meeting at the Community Centre and going outdoors to sketch
weather permitting.
All ages welcome but under 18’s must be accompanied by an
adult at all times

Half Pipe Stunt Display with BMX and Scooter Stunt Athletes
Organised by Thunder Action Sports
12noon-5pm
Lemon’s Wharf
Thunderaction BMX return for a spectacular event as some of the best
BMX riders showcase their skills on a variety of ramps etc. This will be
one not to miss!

A Musical Afternoon Tea with Ards Peninsula U3A Choir
Organised by First Presbyterian Church
2pm – 4pm
First Presbyterian Church, High Street, Donaghadee
Minimum Donation of £5
Proceeds to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland

Sunday 24th August
Make a Joyful Noise and Dramatic Deeds
Organised by Donaghadee Methodist Church
3.00pm
Lemons Wharf
The Methodist Church invites you to come down and sing along to
some favourite hymns and see scripture brought to life by ‘Play it by
Ear’ drama team

Monday 25th August
Rhythm and Rhyme
 

Tuesday 26th August
Wellbeing Walking Group
 

Wednesday 27th August
Women on Water
 

Thursday 28th August
Historical Walking Tour
 

Dee Dance Annual Lifeboat Dance
Organised by Dee Dance
Sequence dancing to live music by Liam McLaughlin
Dancing 7.45pm-10.30pm
Community Centre
Admission £6 (includes tea and biscuits).
There will also be a raffle in aid of the RNLI.

Friday 29th August
Friendly Fridays
Organised by the Library
1pm to 2pm
Library
Engaging activities that will entertain, stimulate and connect our vibrant
older adults

Saturday 30th August
Fit for Free in Donaghadee
 

Sunday 31st August
Newtownards Silver Band
Organised by Donaghadee Community Development Association
2.30pm-3.30pm
Lemon’s Wharf
Newtownards Silver started off as a flute band but changed in
1923. They have played at special occasions including the opening
of the queen's hall and also the original leisure centre. The
band plays a range of traditional and contemporary music which
you will hear today.

All events are subject to change. Please check www.visitdonaghadee.com for any changes to the programme.