Joint Scots and Gaelic celebration of Rabbie Burns | East Belfast Mission

Musicians playing together | NICRC

Leabharlann Turas (Turas Library) got their first event of the year off to a literary start with a celebration of Rabbie Burns on 25 January 2022 – Burns Night.

The evening began with an Irish Language documentary on the poet, taking a look at his life and work as both a composer and a collector of traditional Scottish songs, as well as his poetry. 

The Turas Project at East Belfast Mission is core funded by the Community Relations Council. The Turas Programme, established in 2011, includes language classes, a choir, music and dance classes, and a walking group. Turas provides 14 language classes, making it the largest provider of classes in Belfast city.

Linda Ervine, Turas Project Manager, said about the night: 

“We had music from Aodhán Mac Seafraidh and Jackie Jefferies, and they performed several of Burns’ own compositions and favourites, with some even being sung in Irish and in Scottish Gaelic. Afterwards we opened the floor to all in attendance to perform a Burns’-related party piece of their own, and many happily obliged. What a wunnerfu beginin tae 2022.”