Antrim and Newtownabbey celebrates Ulster-Scots heritage with Leid Week

(L-R) Kathy Wolff (Community Relations Forum), Wendy Kerr (Impact Network NI), William Olphert (Director of Education, Ulster-Scots Agency), Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Henry Cushinan, Philip Logan (Director of Ulster-Scots Community Network) and Ani Kanakaki (Good Relations Officer) | ANBC

placeholder image — (L-R) Kathy Wolff (Community Relations Forum), Wendy Kerr (Impact Network NI), William Olphert (Director of Education, Ulster-Scots Agency), Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Henry Cushinan, Philip Logan (Director of Ulster-Scots Community Network) and Ani Kanakaki (Good Relations Officer) | ANBC

Events will take place in Antrim and Ballyclare

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is celebrating Ulster-Scots language, culture and heritage through its Leid Week Programme 2026, with a programme of activities taking place across the Borough.

Bringing together opportunities for people of all ages to discover and celebrate the Ulster-Scots tradition, the programme includes language learning, poetry, storytelling, music, dance and community events, delivered in partnership with a range of Ulster-Scots organisations and cultural partners.

A number of events are planned to bring the wider community together. Residents are invited to take part in an informal language session at Greystone Library and enjoy an afternoon of traditional music, dancing, storytelling and conversation at Ballyclare Town Hall:

Leid & Lairn – Hae a Bite an a Blether takes place on Wednesday 11 November 2026 from 10.30am–11.30am at Greystone Library, delivered in partnership with Libraries NI.

An Ulster-Scots Community Celebration takes place on Thursday 19 November 2026 from 12.30pm–4pm at Ballyclare Town Hall.

Alongside the two public events, the Leid Week Programme includes a range of learning and engagement opportunities designed to encourage greater awareness and appreciation of Ulster-Scots language and heritage. These include an OCN Level 1 in Ulster-Scots Awareness programme, delivered in partnership with the Ulster-Scots Community Network, and Dinnae Houl Yer Wheest, a six-week conversational language course delivered by the Ulster-Scots Agency.

The programme will conclude with a closing celebration at Mossley Mill on Tuesday 24 November, recognising the achievements of participants who have completed the two learning programmes.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Henry Cushinan said: “Leid Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Ulster-Scots language, culture and heritage across our Borough. I would encourage residents to get involved, discover more about this important part of our shared heritage and enjoy the events taking place throughout November.”

The programme also features My Perfect World, an Ulster-Scots poetry workshop for secondary school pupils, led by Dr Frank Ferguson of Ulster University in partnership with Libraries NI, alongside children's storytelling, rhymes and crafts sessions at Antrim Library, delivered by Matthew Warwick from the Ulster-Scots Agency.

The council is also producing two videos as part of its wider promotion of Ulster-Scots language and heritage. A Wheen o' Words will introduce audiences to the language through a selection of Ulster-Scots words and expressions, encouraging people to learn and use them. A second video will explore the importance of Leid Week and the value of Ulster-Scots language, highlighting its cultural significance and the importance of keeping the tradition alive within local communities.

For further information about the Leid Week programme and activities, visit antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/leid-week