Here’s a teaser for our March 2011 Ireland Tour. Exploring the links between our own Appalachian culture and Ireland roots, we’ll be visiting the Ulster American Folk Park.
An oft-overlooked fact… over 2 million emigrated to America from Ulster prior to 1900. Collectively, those people had a profound impact on American history and culture. Several American Presidents, most notably Andrew Jackson, U.S. Grant, and Teddy Roosevelt had Ulster roots. The Ulster American Folk Park explores the various reasons for the waves of migration reaching back to the early 1700s. People of all stations of life crossed the Atlantic… destined to become “Americans.”
The Park is a fascinating, open-air, sprawling museum including 30 buildings, some of which are recreations, some being lovingly restored originals. Staffed with interpreters and “people of history,” from them one gains a sense of place and time. Particularly of rural life in the 1700s and 1800s. Visitors are first guided through parts of an Irish village of smallholdings, cottages, churches, weavers shop, and a blacksmith’s shop. You’ll see and hear people go about their daily business as in earlier times.
“Ireland” then “ends” in a city street, complete with well-stocked shops, leading down to a quay. Here a sailing ship awaits…you board … for transport to “America.” Debarking, it’s through the immigration shed into a virtual street from 19th Century Boston. Then journey on until you are in the open countryside. Here, several farmsteads are recreated with a loving eye for detail, complete with crops and livestock. There’s even a log house directly from Greene County, PA.
All in all, the Ulster American Folk Park is an amazing experience. Especially for those of us from American frontier roots. Common traditions continue on both sides of The Atlantic. Of those, music is ever-present. In celebration, the Ulster American Folk Park’s annual Bluegrass Festival has been a calendar highlight for more than sixteen years. Who knows what musical moments we might share there!
To explore more, here’s the website: http://www.nmni.com/uafp
Scotland's Blair Castle
The Homecoming tour to Scotland has been a rousing success.
The weather, we are told, has been the best they have had in a several months.
The scenery is fantastic, the people are wonderful and the experience will last a life time. We have felt the presence of our dear friend, David R Ross, all along the way.
The country is even more magical than he had described.
Celtic Force has decided to continue to offer these types of tours in the future with plans for some very special packages.
We will also be working with those in Scotland to be able to come to America and tour our country.
The bond that has formed between our tour group and this ancient land & its people is beyond words.
Start saving your pennies, we’ll be coming back very soon.
Slainte from Scotland,
Donovan
The Celtic Force – Visit our website: www.thecelticforce.com
Stay Connected!
Posted in Scotland, Tours, Trips | 
blair castle, celtic tours, celtic trips, Scotland, tours of scotland | 
2 Comments
An evening at the Three Sisters Pub to remember David R Ross
When we heard of the news of the loss of David we were as stunned as anyone about his sudden passing. We also had to decide how that loss would impact our plans to continue with the tour to Scotland next month. Something inside told us that if we didn’t go through with it David would come back with his 5-foot claymore and rip us a new one! He would not want his absence to deter anyone from experiencing his homeland first hand.
We would like to make an open invitation to anyone that wishes to join us in raising a toast to David on his home soil on Sunday night March 14th. Our tour group will gather in Edinburgh with friends of David’s from such organizations as Society of William Wallace, Tartan Army and others to share stories, meet new friends, listen to some music and have a few drinks. This will take place at the Three Sisters Pub on Cowgate Street in Edinburgh from 7:30 pm till midnight. It will be a party as big as the Big Man himself and all who wish to join in are welcome. This pub is a fitting location due to the fact that this is where the St Andrews celebration was held this past November with David providing the words and Ted Christopher and Albannach providing the music. Ted and Albannach will join us during our evening as well.
There is a cover charge of 10 Pounds to help offset expenses of the evening and a cash bar will be provided. We plan to have some food, raffles, music, laughs and a memorable time as we toast our friend and the inspiration for this tour. Join us if you can.
To see pictures and learn more about Three Sisters Pub, visit: http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/pubguide/threesisters.html
The Celtic Force – Visit our website: www.thecelticforce.com
Stay Connected!
Posted in Scotland, Tours, Trips | celtic trips, david r. ross, edinburgh, Scotland, three sisters pub, tours of scotland | Leave a commentFollow Us
Recent Comments