' a Hairtlan Festival’ 2026
SATURDAY 27th JUNE – SATURDAY 11th JULY
Saturday 27th June
ULSTER-SCOTS WEANS TREASURE HUNT &
TEDDY
BEARS PICNIC
Tha Hairtlan Hub, Kilkeel | 11.30am – 1pm
For Children P2 – P7
Treasure Hunt leaving from Tha Hairtlan Hub, Kilkeel Picnic will be provided at Green area on Mourne Esplanade, following the Treasure Hunt. (Weans accompanied by leaders during Treasure Hunt and Picnic)
Weans to be dropped o at Tha Hairtlan Hub at 11.30am and collected at 1pm at Mourne Esplanade.
Free Event | Booking Essential
ULSTER-SCOTS OOT N ABOOT
Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick | 2.30pm
Newcastle Prominade | 4pm
Lower Square Events Space, Kilkeel | 5.45pm
Showcasing Ulster-Scots Music, Song & Dance
Sunday 28th June
SABBATH DAY ACTIVITY FOR WEANS
Tha Hairtlan Hub, Kilkeel | 3pm - 4pm
Marking 415 years of the King James Bible
For Children P2 – P7
New Children’s Gospel Workbook to mark the King James Bible anniversary will be presented to all children during event.
Free Event | Booking Essential
Event held in partnership with Elijah’s Chosen Few RBP 208.
ULSTER-SCOTS
GOSPEL CONCERT
Reivers House, Kilkeel | 8.30pm
Concert broadcast live on Fusefm Mourne Radio
Featuring Marching Bands, Ulster-Scots Singers & Musicians
Free Event
Monday 29th June
ULSTER-SCOTS PANEL DISCUSSION EVENT
The Lecture Theatre, Kilkeel High School | 7.30pm
Two Panels:
1. ‘Ulster-Scots Cultural Expression – The Way Forward’ Speakers:
• Professor Peter Shirlow
• Ian Crozier, CEO, Ulster-Scots Agency
• David Morrow, Assistant Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
2. ‘Understanding our Recent Past’ – From a Victim’s Perspective… Speakers:
• Rodney Eakins (Son of John Eakins, Brougher Mountain)
• Helen Latus (Daughter of RUC Reservist, William Finlay, Downpatrick)
• Gordon Herron (Grandson of the Herron Family, Dromore)
• Rev. John Noble (Brother In Law of RUC Reservist, John Olpert, Londonderry)
Free Event | Booking Essential
Tuesday 30th June
DANDER FOR SOMME 110
Mourne Park, Newry Road to Reivers House, Kilkeel | 5.45pm
Mourne Park, Newry Road to Reivers House, Kilkeel Sponsored Walk to mark the 110th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme Funds raised in aid of The Somme Association.
(The Somme Association has responsibility for the Somme Museum in Co. Down, the Ulster Memorial Tower on the site of the Battle of the Somme near Thiepval in France, and Thiepval Wood at The Somme).
Fundraising event in partnership with the Northern Ireland Veteran’s Commissioner’s Office
Booking Essential
Tuesday 30th June
BATTLE OF THE SOMME EVE 110TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
Parade & Somme Memorial Event |
Parade: Leaving from Reivers House at 7.30pm, making its way through Kilkeel town and finishing in the Lower Square. Including: Marching Bands, 36th Ulster Division Re-Enactors, Children remembering those from Mourne who fell at the Somme.
Somme Memorial Event:
Taking place in the Lower Square Events Space following the parade. Including: Act of Remembrance & Wreath Laying at the VC Hanna Statue, Singer Beth Docherty (Songs from the Somme), Piping Quartet, Highland Dancing, Somme Exhibition Display & Lighting of Beacon
For the Weans in the Lower Square… ‘Remembrance’ Themed Face Painting, ‘Remembrance’ Themed Balloon Modelling & ‘Somme’ Themed Arts & Craft Activity
Free Event | Everyone Welcome
ULSTER-SCOTS COOKERY MASTERCLASS
Mourne Seafood Cookery School, The Nautilus Centre, Kilkeel | 7.30pm
With Master Chef Trevor Orr £15 per Ticket (Includes Cookery Demonstration and Tasting).
Wednesday 1stJuly
BATTLE OF THE SOMME COMMEMORATION
Mourne Presbyterian Church War Memorial | 11am
Service & Act of Remembrance
(Service to include 36th Ulster Division Re-Enactors)
Booking Essential
‘ULSTER-SCOTS…ANOTHER WAY OF TALKING?
Lislea Community Centre, Newry | 7.30pm
Ulster-Scots Talk by William Olphert, Director of Education & Language, Ulster-Scots Agency
Free Event | Booking Essential
BATTLE OF THE SOMME PARADE & COMMEMORATION
Annalong | 7.30pm
Hosted by Mourne District LOL No. 6
ursday 2nd July
THE ULSTER-SCOTS LEID (LANGUAGE)
Saintfield Parish Church | 2pm
Ulster-Scots Talk By Ulster-Scots Poet Roy Ferguson
Free Event | Booking Essential
BOXING EXHIBITION NIGHT
ULSTER-SCOTS CRAFTS FOR LASSIES
Kilkeel Orange Hall | 5.45pm
Free Event | Booking Essential
Silent Valley Orange Hall | 7.30pm (Doors open from 7pm)
Adults £5 Entry | Under 16s Free Clubs from across Ulster in attendance Event Hosted by Schomberg Everyone Welcome Boxing Club
Friday 3rdJuly
ULSTER-SCOTS GATHERING & BBQ
Cranfield (The Green Area at Ameracam Lane) | 7.30pm
Car Parking and Toilet facilities close by.
(Featuring Marching Bands, Singers, Musicians, Highland Dancers, Drum Majors, Living History Performers & Ulster-Scots Baking Demonstration)
FREE Children’s Inflatables, Face Painting & Balloon Modelling
Saturday 4th July
ULSTER-SCOTS WEANS RHYTHM & RHYME & TEDDY BEARS
PICNIC
Tha Hairtlan Hub, Kilkeel | 11.30am – 1pm
For Children P2 – P7
Picnic provided Free Event | Booking Essential
ULSTER-SCOTS
STORYTELLING FOR WEANS
Newry Street Unite, Kilkeel | 1pm – 3pm
Taking place during Newry Street Unite’s Fun Day
(Contact Newry Street Unite for further details on their Fun Day Event)
Cars & Co ee 1pm – 4pm Mourne Esplanade, Kilkeel
(Car Park Open from 11am for Exhibitors only)
£10 per Car – Registration Essential
Hosted by Mourne District LOL No. 6
(Contact Mourne District LOL No. 6 for further details on this Event)
Act of Remembrance for Captain Alexander Chesney 2pm
Remembering a Veteran of the American War of Independence
The Chesney Family Grave, Mourne Presbyterian Church
Scots-Irish Guided Tour of Mourne Park, Kilkeel 4pm
With Tour Guide Jon Morrison
Exploring the strong Ulster-Scots & Scots-Irish historical connections with Mourne Park.
Free Event | Booking Essential
Sunday 5th July
AULD TIME
ULSTER-SCOTS GOSPEL
MUSIC AND SONG
Slieve Roe Nursing Home, Kilkeel | 2pm
Brooklands Nursing Home, Kilkeel | 3pm
SUNDAY PARADE & CHURCH SERVICE
Annalong | 3pm
Event hosted by Mourne District LOL No. 6
Monday 6th July
SCOTTISH HIGHLAND DANCE MASTERCLASS
Tha Hairtlan Hub, Kilkeel | 3.30pm
With Ulster Champion Tutor Kathryn Stewart
Booking Essential
DRUM MAJOR MASTERCLASS
Tha Hairtlan Hub, Kilkeel | 7pm
With World Champion Drum Major Brian Wilson MBE
Booking Essential
TRADITIONAL FIFING & LAMBEG DRUMMING DISPLAY
Reivers House, Kilkeel | 7.30pm
Session with visiting Fifes & DrumsAll Fifers & Drummers welcome.
Tuesday 7th July
RANGERS SOCCER ACADEMY NI FOOTBALL AND ULSTER-SCOTS CAMP
(For Primary School Children)
Tuesday 7th – Friday 10th July: Kilkeel High School (10am – 1.30pm)
Saturday 11th July: Ulster-Scots Afternoon Fun Day at Queen Elizabeth II Park (10am – 1.30pm)
Fully Booked
ULSTER-SCOTS CRAFTS WORKSHOP
Tha Hairtlan Hub, Kilkeel | 10am
Event held in partnership with Tha Hairtlan Men’s Shed
FIDDLE MASTERCLASS
Reivers House, Kilkeel | 7pm
With Tutor Sharon Richardson
Booking Essential
Wednesday 8th July
PIANO MASTERCLASS
Reivers House, Kilkeel | 2pm
Booking Essential
HIGHLAND BAGPIPES,
ULSTER-SCOTS STORY TELLING & ARTS & CRAFTS FOR WEANS
Cranfield Orange Hall, Kilkeel | 6pm
For Children P2 – P7. Refreshments provided Free Event | Booking Essential
ULSTER-SCOTS CRAFTS WORKSHOP 10am
Event held in partnership with Tha Hairtlan Men’s Shed
ULSTER-SCOTS GUIDED WALKING TOUR
Kilkeel Town Centre (Leaving from Reivers House) | 7.30pm
Friday 10th July
ULSTER-SCOTS TAY DANCE
Mourne Stimulus Day Centre, Kilkeel | 10am
MOURNE DISTRICT 225TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION
Kilkeel Orange Hall | 6pm – 10pm
Mourne District LOL No. 6 225th Anniversary Exhibition
Event hosted by Mourne District No. 6
Saturday 11th July
11TH JULY HIGHLAND
DANCE COMPETITION
Queen Elizabeth II Park, Kilkeel |
Hosted by Kirknarra School of Dance (Taking part during the 11th Afternoon Ulster-Scots Fun Day)
11TH JULY AFTERNOON ULSTER-SCOTS FUN DAY
Queen Elizabeth II Park, Kilkeel | 11am - 2pm
Featuring…
• Weans Bonfire (Lit at 1.30pm)
• Lambeg Drumming with Willie Drennan
• Drum Majoring
• Bonnie Bairn Competition (Judging at 12 noon)
• Weans Ulster-Scots Treasure Hunt in the Park
• Dog Show (Judging at 11.30am – Section for Scottish Breeds & All Breeds
• A Wee Taste of Scotland (Scottish Food Tasting)
• ‘Try the Chanter’ Workshop
• Weans Ulster-Scots Painting Workshop
• Boxing Demonstrations
• Weans Band Pole Making Workshop
• Weans Highland Games
• Weans Tug o’ War
• Weans Ulster-Scots Photobooths
• Weans Crazy Golf
• Weans Ulster-Scots Arts & Crafts
• Football (In partnership with Rangers Soccer Academy NI: Fully Booked)
• Falconry Display
• Petting Farm & Scottish Animals
• Face Painting
• Balloon Modelling
• A Wide Range of Children’s Inflatables & Children’s
Entertainment
• Archery
• Target Shooting
• Drama Performers
• Marching Bands
• Singers & Musicians
• Ulster-Scots Story Telling
• Exhibitions of Artefacts, Uniforms & Memorabilia –Marking 110 Years of the Battle of the Somme
• 17th Century Ulster-Scots
Living History Campsites & Traditional Displays
• Military Vehicle Display
• Living History Re-Enactors and Weapon Demonstrations
• Fishing and Farming Demonstrations and Displays
• Ulster-Scots Traditional Baking Demonstrations
• Scottish Highland Dancing
• Ulster-Scots Traditional Crafts Workshops
• A Variety of Stalls, Food & Ice-Cream
• & Much More
FREE ENTRANCE
EVERYONE IS MORE THAN WELCOME!
Saturday 11th July
11TH JULY WREATH LAYING SERVICE
Memorial Stone, Knockchree Avenue, Kilkeel | 5.30pm
11TH JULY NIGHT
ULSTER-SCOTS
STREET PAGEANT
Kilkeel Town Centre |
Featuring…
• Historical Floats – Marking Ulster-Scots Anniversaries
• Horses & Carriages
• Cannons
• A Parade of Clan Banners
• Living History Re-Enactors
• A display of old Orange Banners
• The World’s Largest Lambeg Drum
• Military Vehicles
• Marching Bands
• World Champion Drum Majors
• Highland Dancers
• Children’s Entertainers
• Vintage Vehicles
• A special invite to Ferguson Tractors to participate – marking 90 years of the Ferguson Master Patent
• Local Children invited to take part in Period Costume!
11TH JULY ULSTER-SCOTS OPEN AIR NIGHT CONCERT
Queen Elizabeth II Park, Manse Road, Kilkeel |
Featuring…
• Scottish Rangers Singer Rebecca Auchterlonie
• The Victory Rollers Swing Band and The Ballroom Blitz Dance Team
• Professional Fire Breathers & Performers
• Bonfire (Lit from 10.30pm)
• Fireworks Extravaganza
• World Champion Drum Major Display
• Drumming Displays
• Marching Bands
DRUMMING
• A Wide Range of Children’s Inflatables & Children’s Entertainment
• Balloon Modellers & Face Painters
• Ulster-Scots Battlefield Re-Enactment Display & Beacon Lighting
• Scottish Highland Dance Display
• Archery
• Target Shooting
• 17th Century Ulster-Scots Living History Campsites & Traditional Displays
• Exhibitions of Artefacts, Uniforms & Memorabilia from The Battle of the Somme
EVERYONE IS MORE THAN WELCOME! FREE EVENT
• Living History Re-Enactors and Weapon Demonstrations
• A Variety of Stalls, Food & Ice-Cream
A small charge will apply for Children's Inflatables & Vendors.
OUT THE 11TH NIGHT
under the arch, Kilkeel town centre
FROM 11:30PM
(Performance of Lambeg Drumming)
HAIRTLAN FESTIVAL ULSTER-SCOTS TRAD SESSIONS…
Come along and enjoy Ulster-Scots traditional music!
Monday 29th June 2026
Reivers House, Kilkeel, 10.30am
Monday 29th June 2026
Kilmorey Arms Hotel, Kilkeel, 1.15pm
Tuesday 30th June 2026
South Prom Café, Newcastle, 10.30am
Tuesday 30th June 2026
Warrenpoint Town Hall, 1pm
Thursday 2nd July 2026
Harbour House, Newcastle, 8.30pm
Friday 3rd July 2026
Neptunes Café, Kilkeel, 9.30am
Friday 3rd July 2026
Café Mauds, Kilkeel, 2pm
Friday 3rd July 2026
YMCA Greenhill, Newcastle, 7.30pm
Tuesday 7th July 2026
St. Donard’s Church Hall, Dundrum, 2pm
Friday 10th July 2026
Kilkeel Orange Hall, 7.30pm
HAIRTLAN FESTIVAL ULSTER-SCOTS EXHIBITIONS…
Call in and learn about Ulster-Scots culture, heritage, history, traditions and language!
Saturday 27th June – Saturday 4th July 2026
Visit the exhibitions in the below venues during the facility’s opening hours:
Kilkeel Library
Mourne & World War Two
Newcastle Library
Famous Ulster-Scots o’ Mourne
Castlewellan Library
Meet the Ulster-Scots
Moneydarragh Hub, Annalong
Ulster-Scots: Mountains & Toonlans
Mullartown House, Annalong
The ‘Five Solas’ of the Reformation
YWAM (Youth With A Mission) An Cuan, Rostrevor - Tha Fasch & Tha Fiel
Warrenpoint Library
Masters of the Sea: Ulster-Scots Shipbuilders
Ballynahinch Library
Marking 250 Years of the American
Declaration of Independence
Kilmorey Arms Hotel, Kilkeel
Ulster-Scots Tourism Places to Visit
The Nautilus Centre, Kilkeel
Mourne’s World War One Heroes
Newry Street Unite, Kilkeel Tartans & Clans
The Saint Patrick’s Centre, Downpatrick
Patrick: Ulster’s Scottish Saint
Crossgar War Memorial Hall
The Ulster Covenant, 1912
Sir Hans Sloane Centre, Killyleagh
The Charter Towns of Ulster
Creggan Parish Church, Crossmaglen
Ulster-Scots and The Second World War
Rowallane Community Hub, Saintfield
D Day 80
Broadcasting Live from Studio One, Reivers House saturday 27th June – Thursday 10th July 2026
8am – 11pm Daily
Tune in via: 106.2fm | The Fuse FM App | www.fusefmmourne.co.uk Alexa | Broadcasting alongside Tha Hairtlan Festival 2026
THE SCHOMBERG SOCIETY’S HAIRTLAN FESTIVAL IN THE KINGDOM OF MOURNE… PROUDLY CELEBRATING OUR ULSTER-SCOTS CULTURE, HERITAGE AND TRADITIONS!
For further information or bookings, please get in contact with:
The Schomberg Society
Reivers House, 8-12 Newcastle Street, Kilkeel, Co. Down, BT34 4AF 07753 222 553
schombergsociety@gmail.com Scomberg Mourne Ulster-Scots
