Burns in Newry

Address to the Haggis

The 'Bard' and I were off to Newry, County Down, on Saturday night. A fine city on the border of Northern Ireland and Eire. There was to be a 'Gala Dinner' as part of a week long celebration of Burns 250th with me as principal speaker and performer. I was billed as a 'world renowned Burns Scholar', so no pressure then! The venue was Altnaveigh House and I was made very welcome by the Chair of Altnaveigh - David Hanna - whom I met earlier in the day, along with my friend and colleague Anthony Russell, during the live radio broadcast.


The evening was to be a Burns Supper, with me as adviser, proposer of the Immortal Memory and main singer/reciter, rather than a Burns250 show, but in costume none-the-less. A local ceilidh band 'Rising Stour' were also playing.

For the Immortal memory I used many slides from the show with the addition of some special ones on local Burns connections. As so often happens at these events time was our worst enemy but we managed to get through a varied programme by midnight, although sadly Tam O Shanter had to be omitted. Feedback from the over 120 guests was very positive and it is hoped this will become an annual event.....
A big thanks from me to all the organisers for inviting them to play for them, especially David and Anthony.

Burns on Radio FM5

No costume needed on radio!

Rowan Hand(DJ), myself and Anthony live in the studio

As part of the trip to Northern Ireland, we had a radio interview on the 'Bard'. I also played three songs live in the studio. Broadcasted between 9:15 and 10:00 am today - Saturday.

Burns in Crossmaglen

I was delighted to take the 'Bard' to Northern Ireland this weekend. A huge thanks to my colleague Anthony who has been working hard to set the trip up. As part of the Altnaveigh House (in Newry) Burns Gala Festival, I had two appearances. The first was in Creggan Church of Ireland Parish Hall, in Crossmaglen. I was overwhelmed to have a full, and very responsive, house on this first trip. Only a short week of advertising produced a mixed age range of enthusiastic listeners. Indeed some had travelled an hour and a half to get there which was amazing. Hopefully I can get out to Fermanagh and take the show to them later in the year.
I also had the chance to visit the grave and cottage of Agnes Burns - Robert's sister - who moved out here with her husband some time after Robert's death. Her man - William Galt - was brought over to build Stephenstown Pond, near Dundalk in Co. Louth, making such a good job of it that he was given a good salary to stay on and manage the estate. The cottage which they stayed in - rent free - is now a tea room and has some interesting photos and copies of letters from Agnes to her (and Robert's) mother, back in Ayr.
The crowd were so keen I stayed and performed for about 3 hours delivering the old favourites such as Tam O Shanter and A Man's a Man, among many others. Lots of interest expressed in more shows so I will try to get back again.
The second show of the trip was a Gala Dinner in Altnaveigh House in Newry....more on this later!

Burns in Caskieberran - Glenrothes

To a Mouse

The 'Bard' and I went to Glenrothes recently to deliver a short show to a very enthusiastic and well behaved group of 70 plus staff and pupils.

Excellent paintings of Rob and his poems

The youngsters have been working on the 'Year of the Homecoming' with a recent ceilidh, at which I was also delighted to play, as well as lots of work on Robert Burns. The art work behind the stage is superb as can be seen from some of the photos.

The Twa Dugs

Many of the songs were new to them but they had a try at joining in anyway. As usual a superb audience who have hopefully learnt some more about our Bard. There was the usual Q & A session at the end which brought some enthusiastic questions from the floor. An especial 'well done' to the young lady who bravely stood up and delivered a word-perfect version of 'Willie Wastle' - bravo!

Auld Lang Syne to finish off another show

Burns in Barassie

The Twa Dugs entertain

The bard and I travelled to Barassie Primary today in Troon where over 100 young people and staff enthusiastically listened to the show. Sadly the arrival of lunch-time meant we had no time for the usual question and answer session but the pupils were very knowledgeable, being able to list a fair number of poems and songs and joining in with the singing where they could. They have also been using the teachertube videos which is great! Perhaps they might leave some comments there, and/or on here?

About 120 keen listeners!

The local Press also turned up and took some good looking photos so hopefully the school (and the show) will get some good publicity. It is a brand new school and looks really splendid - the pupils were well behaved and hopefully are now a little wiser about Rob Mossgiel. Lastly a big thanks to Mrs Bell for the photos.

The 'Bard' in full flow

Burns in Perth

The show made it to the fair city of Perth last night, where an enthusiastic crowd of 60 plus turned out to the prestigious venue of the Salutation Hotel. The show was hosted by Perth Burns Club and they were delighted to see many visitors along especially for the evening. Although the Club normally ends at 9.30, the members were so enthralled with the story we continued until after 10pm finishing with the traditional Auld Lang Syne but, as always with the show, to the original tune Burns intended rather than the one currently in use today. My thanks to Donald and Arthur for organising the chance for me to attend.

Burns for Dalgety Bay Folk Club

Last weekend the show went back to Aberdour - but to the Woodside Hotel this time - to guest for Dalgety Bay Folk Club. I delivered the full show at 2 x 1 1/4 hours and received a good response with many positive comments after. Colin Hay - the organiser - pointed out that the club wanted the show as their contribution to the year of the Homecoming - an excellent sentiment with which I concur and hope that other similar clubs may see likewise. He added that he found the show not only very entertaining but also very informative and that he had learnt much about Burns during the evening. A big thanks from me to Colin and his team for inviting me to Aberdour.