Member's statement: Ulster-Scots Leid Week
Member's statement by Ms Diane Forsythe on .
- MLA
- Ms Diane Forsythe
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 2 December 2024
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Ulster-Scots Leid Week
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4686382
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Last week, we celebrated Ulster-Scots Leid Week, when, across Northern Ireland, communities joined in a wide variety of activities, which our Ulster-Scots Agency coordinated, that promoted the Ulster-Scots language. Many events were organised by community groups and councils across Northern Ireland. The last census figures told us that over 190,000 people in the Province now have some ability in the Ulster-Scots language, which is an increase of 8·1% on the 2011 figures. However, Ulster-Scots is far more than just a language. It is our bands, our heritage, our identity and our people. As a proud Ulster Scot who lives in Mourne, which is an Ulster-Scots heartland, the Ulster-Scots language is integral to who I am and to how I interact with my family and community and with all of you. I was delighted to see the activities and celebration of Ulster-Scots language and culture last week, promoting it and recognising its contribution to the rich and diverse cultural landscape of our wee country. In South Down, a range of events took place to make the week, from the Mountains and Toonlands Mourne exhibition in Newcastle library to an Ulster-Scots language street signage workshop, along with poetry, arts and crafts for the wains in Reivers House, Kilkeel. At my home in Kilkeel, we are privileged to have a strong Ulster-Scots organisation, the Schomberg Society, at the heart of our local Ulster-Scots community. In Reivers House and its newly opened heartland hub, the society provides a base for many Ulster-Scots groups and activities locally.
Last week was a busy week, as Ulster-Scots Leid Week was enjoyed by them all. There was great craic for all ages from the Highland Heathers, the Kirknarra School of Highland Dance, our schools and our bands. On Saturday past, Leid Week finished with the first ever Belfast Tartan Day, which coincided with St Andrew's Day. Hundreds of pipers, drummers, drum majors and highland dancers paraded to Belfast City Hall, headed by our Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA. Leid Week was a great success, but it was just one highlight of our community, which thrives all year round. Our local Ulster-Scots radio station, fUSe FM Mourne, runs from next week, 9 December, for two weeks. You can listen in on the fUSe FM Mourne app, online or on 106·2 FM in the Mourne area, as I — a proud Mourne Ulster Scot — will, as always, be a presenter. I invite you all to tune in as I say "Fair fa' ye" to everyone.
416 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.05 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- No identity-based framing was identified (0.96).
- Subject area: Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.11 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.01 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.06 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.02 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.03 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.06 | No |
| Overall judgement | 0.05 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 0.96 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.04 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy | 0.98 |
| Another identity-related subject | 0.02 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.00 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:35 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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