Tuning in to Ulster-Scots
Thursday, 2 October 2008
Wilson Burgess, from Aghadowey, in action reciting some Ulster Scots.
AN AGHADOWEY man is set to mark national poetry week with a live broadcast of Ulster-Scots on BBC Radio Ulster.
Wilson Burgess, now based in Londonderry, kicks off the 'Rhythm and Rhyme's' week on Saturday, October 4, with 'Kist O Wurds' from Bellaghy Bawn, covering Londonderry's 17th century plantation.
Wilson is no stranger to the airwaves and one of his previous 'Kist O Wurds' programmes was chosen for Radio 4's Pick of the week. He has also published a book called 'Dae ye see' in 2007, which has been quite successful.
He is set to publish a second collection called 'Ah Jist Wunner', again written in the 'hamely tongue', later this year.
Wilson said: "Bellaghy Bawn, was a fitting setting for the broadcast not only because of its links to history but also because of its links to poetry."
He added: "It was built between 1613 and 1619 by the London companies under the Londonderry Plantation scheme and the site has been continuously occupied for a period of almost 400 years.
"The planned village settlement of Vinterstown or Bellaghy has survived with many of its features still intact.
"In 1987 it was taken into state care by the Environment and heritage Service and after much archaeological and conservation work, the Bawn was opened to the public as a visitor centre in 1996.
"It now houses an exhibition and archive on the work of Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, who was born in the district."
'Kist O Wurds', will feature some of Seamus Heaney's work, and will look at his influence on Ulster Scots poetry.
Wilson will also read some of his work on the programme.
