Ulster Scots Language Week 2023 - Laggan Echas – Saft Fit on Fleer
Date: 24 November 2023
Venue: Online
Laggan Echas – Saft Fit on FleerWith Alan Millar
Friday 24 November 2023
Online at DCSDC YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
This short film explores aspects of the Ulster-Scots literary tradition in Donegal through the lens of the author’s own debut collection Echas frae the
Big Swilly Swally and two predecessor poets, Sarah Leech (published 1829) and George Dugall (published 1824). The film includes brief biographical
details about the two poets, until recently forgotten, and readings from their work and the author’s own. The author will reflect on the growing community awareness of the Ulster-Scots literary tradition in the Laggan area of East Donegal. The author, who grew up, a few miles from both predecessor poets will reflect on their contribution to Ulster-Scots writing, and will reflect on how language bridges the gulf of time. Locations featured in the film include Grianán Fort, followed by Sarah Leech’s homeplace – Lettergull, and Newton-Cunningham, where George Dugall taught school.
About Alan Millar: Alan Millar who is originally from Donegal is now based in Ballymoney, Co Antrim. He is a journalist, writer and poet in Ulster- Scots and English. In 2021 he was winner of the Hugh MacDiarmid Tassie for Scots poetry and the inaugural Linenhall Library Ulster-Scots short
story competition. In 2023, Alan had a top placed Ulster-Scots poem in the inaugural Thomas Carnduff Shipyard Poetry Competition. The author writes an Ulster-Scots column for the Ballymoney Chronicle called Leid Loanen, or Language Lane. His first collection of poetry Echas frae tha Big Swilly Swally was published in May 2023. He was nominated for Scots Writer of
he Year, in the 2023 Scots Language Awards.
Available to watch from Friday 24 November 2023 on Derry City and Strabane District Council’s YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@derrycitystrabanedistrictc7167 and across all of the Council’s social media platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/derrycityandstrabanedistrictcouncil/
twitter.com/fairfaaye.
Full programme at www.derrystrabane.com/ulstersoctsweek