News Release Page Title

26 February 2007

COUNTY ARMAGH’S BEST GO TO WASHINGTON

Twenty-one people from County Armagh will represent Northern Ireland at the Smithsonian Institution’s Folklife Festival in Washington DC.

Up to160 local people will be taking part in the Festival from 27 June – 8 July 2007 on Washington’s National Mall. Mummers, lambeg drum makers, dance dress makers and traditional singers from County Armagh will tell over one million American’s what Northern Ireland is like and how they live their lives.

In the four months preceding the Festival and launching on 15 March 2007, an arts and cultural programme will take place in some of the most prestigious venues in America’s capital city. Featuring events such as a Snow Patrol concert, poetry readings, children’s opera and a Titanic exhibition, Washington will experience over 40 cultural events which aim to raise US awareness of our region’s thriving economy, revitalised cities and unique culture.

Details of both programmes were announced in the Harbour Commissioners’ Office by Culture and Arts Minister, Maria Eagle MP.

She said: “Taken together the programmes are the largest international showcasing of Northern Ireland ever to take place and will illustrate the calibre and vitality of the region as a modern and contemporary society.”

The Minister continued: “Northern Ireland has a diverse and unique culture and showcasing in America is an opportunity to demonstrate the amazing transformation that has taken place in recent years. Both the Rediscover Northern Ireland programme and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival are wonderful snapshots of Northern Ireland’s contemporary life. Now is the time to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight and show the world the real Northern Ireland.”

At the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Northern Ireland’s finest musicians, storytellers, cooks, craftworkers, sports persons and cultural experts will share with Festival visitors the living traditions that make and sustain the cultural life of contemporary Northern Ireland.

Participants at the Festival will come from every corner of Northern Ireland and will represent the culture of the region. Also included in the number will be the Aughakillymaude Mummers, Belle Isle Cookery School, Muralists from Londonderry and Belfast, Ulster-Scots Community Dance Group, 2 and 4 wheeled motorsports, Genealogy experts and a hat maker from Islandmagee.

Sheila Burke the Smithsonian's Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer said: "We are delighted to be working with a wide range of organisations to bring Northern Ireland's rich cultural heritage to the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The Smithsonian looks forward to welcoming Northern Ireland's musicians and artists to the National Mall in Washington DC where they can share their traditions with the Festival's one million American and international visitors."

The Minister paid tribute to all of the organisations and businesses that have contributed to the Rediscover Northern Ireland through sponsorship and in kind. In particular, the Minister highlighted the work of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland which has funded, organised and arranged many of the events.

She said: “It really is an excellent programme of events featuring some of our best artists and without the Arts Council’s amazing network of connections with the arts world here and in the United States, none of this would have happened.”

The Rediscover Northern Ireland programme is co-sponsored by Titanic Quarter Ltd and the Ulster Bank.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

  1. Participating in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival from County Armagh are:

    2. a. Brendan Bailey, The Armagh Rhymers, Portadown, Co. Armagh, Mummer b. Ian Carmichael, All Set Ensemble, Portadown, Co. Armagh, Dancer/dance instructor
    c. Patricia Flynn, Mullaghbawn, Newry, Co. Armagh, Traditional singer
    d. Mary Fox, All Set Ensemble, Portadown, Co. Armagh, Traditional dance/ dance instructor
    e. Len Graham, Mullaghbawn, Newry, Co. Armagh, Traditional Singer and storyteller
    f. Anne Hart, The Armagh Rhymers, Armagh, Co. Armagh, Mummer
    g. Rev. Robert James Mattison, Poyntz Pass, Co. Armagh, Ulster-Scots cooking and culture
    h. Stephen McGeehan, Comhairle Uladh Cumann Lúthchleas Gael/GAA, Armagh, Co. Armagh, Gaelic sports
    i. Lorainne Mullin, Portadown, Co. Armagh, Dance dress maker and embroiderer
    j. Mick Quinn, Mullaghbawn, Newry, Co. Armagh, Traditional singer and storyteller
    k. Peter J. Shortall, The Armagh Rhymers, Keady, Co. Armagh, Mummer
    l. Rodney Smyth, Portadown, Co. Armagh, Lambeg drum maker
    m. Nigel Spiers, Thomas Ferguson Irish Linen, Gilford, Craigavon, Co Armagh, Linen worker
    n. Darren Sterritt, Markethill, Co. Armagh, Lambeg drum maker
    o. Richard Sterritt, Markethill, Co. Armagh, Lambeg drum maker
    p. Eithne Vallely, Armagh Pipers Club, Armagh, Co. Armagh, Traditional musician
    q. Caoimhin Vallely, Armagh Pipers Club, Armagh, Co. Armagh, Traditional musician
    r. Dara Vallely, The Armagh Rhymers, Armagh, Co. Armagh, Mummer
    s. Roisín White, Cavanalaw, Armagh, Traditional singer/Irish language teacher
    t. Mark Wilson, Craigavon, Co. Armagh, Snare drumming/Pipe band drumming
    u. Worker from Ulster Carpets, Craigavon, Portadown, Co. Armagh
  2. For a full list of those participating in both the Rediscover Northern Ireland programme and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, please go to www.rediscoverni.com. (Please note: Although the majority of participants have been selected, some remain to be invited and/or we are awaiting their formal acceptances before we release their names to the media. This list will be updated on www.rediscoverni.com

  3. The 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will feature three programmes. In addition to "Northern Ireland at the Smithsonian," other programs are "Mekong River: Connecting Cultures" and "The Roots of Virginia Culture." The Folklife Festival, inaugurated in 1967, honours people from across the United States and around the world. With about 1 million visitors each year, the Festival unites presenters and performers in the nation's capital to celebrate the diversity of cultural traditions. It is produced by the Smithsonian's Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The Festival's Web site is www.folklife.si.edu The Festival is co-sponsored by the National Park Service.

  4. All media enquiries to Joanne Eland at DCAL Press Office on 028 90 254215 or email: press.office@dcalni.gov.uk

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