Music, fun and laughter at Ulster-Scots Heritage Day in Raphoe

Grey skies didn't dampen the mood for another great Ulster-Scots Heritage Day in Raphoe this Saturday afternoon.

Large crowds gathered at The Royal and Prior Comprehensive School playing fields to be entertained by pipe bands, highland dancers and drum majors from across Ulster. 

This was the seventh's such event organised by the Ulster-Scots Agency.

Pipers in action at the Ulster-Scots Heritage Day event

It is a celebration of the rich Ulster-Scots heritage in East Donegal. It included a display of up to 40 Highland dancers and the internationally renowned Drum Major display, The Force.  

The event featured performances from several Donegal and Northern Ireland-based pipe bands, who form a massed pipe band under the command of Pipe Major Alex Brown from Arranmore. The bands also took part in a parade of Raphoe led by the world-class drum majors’ display team. 

Children’s entertainment and food stalls were also provided at the football pitch. 

The Ulster-Scots Agency is an international government organisation set up under the Belfast Agreement of 1998. They are responsible for protecting, developing and promoting the language, heritage and culture of the Ulster-Scots people.

The young Highland dancers in action on Saturday

Their vision is that Ulster-Scots should flourish as a rich, vibrant and growing culture with a global legacy that is recognised at home and abroad. To achieve this, they work to inspire, empower and engage people of all ages and backgrounds to understand, respect and enjoy all aspects of our Ulster-Scots identity.

"Thanks and well done to all who helped to make the event such a success, " said a spokesperson for the organisers.