A Northern Ireland council’s new Ulster Scots working group has failed to meet ahead of the most important cultural week for the language.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) agreed to a new ‘Ulster Scots and the British Tradition’ strategy in October amid a boycott of the equality group by the DUP over Irish language.
However, ahead of ‘Leid Week’ (Nov 24-28) or Ulster Scots Week, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) can confirm that formal discussions by the group have yet to take place.
Rowallane DUP councillor Callum Bowsie said: “No, the new working group has not met yet to set the terms of reference. I would hope this will be arranged by the council soon.
“For my own DEA (district electoral area), I know the council will be running an Ulster-Scots workshop in the Sir Hans Sloane Centre on Thursday (Nov 27) to mark this special week. This workshop will be delivered by the Schomberg Society.”
A recent public consultation in the district gained almost 445 responses with 80% of people agreeing the council had a role to visibly develop the Ulster Scots language.
The Ulster Scots policy had been brought before the chamber after it had been through an equality and good relations process with unanimous approval (Oct 8).
DUP members had previously removed themselves from the equality and good relations group over the previous approval on Irish language in June until further notice, after six years of discussions on bi-lingual signs resulted in non-agreement.
A council spokesperson confirmed: “No, the council’s new Ulster Scots and the British Tradition working group has not met ahead of Ulster Scots week (Nov 24-28).
“The decision to establish the working group was ratified at a meeting of full council 3 November, subject to the five-day call-in period.
“The working group has therefore not yet met to agree its membership and terms of reference.
The spokesperson added: “However, the strategy, policy and resources committee on 14 December 2023 agreed that the council holds an event on Leid week every year.”
“Council’s DEA coordinators have organised three events for Ulster Scots Leid Week 2025; Newry primary schools – Ulster Scots Language Workshop, Slieve Gullion -Ulster Scots Event –history, language and culture workshop and Rowallane Ulster Scots Event – Poetry, Language Culture Workshop.”
