Celebrating Celtic heritage
When the latest Maine Ulster-Scots Project newsletter hit my inbox, I was delighted at their list of activities aimed at reaching people with Scots Irish heritage or those interested in the culture. Celtic people ranged across northern Europe, but we associate the term with Scots or Irish people. Here’s the list of events and how to learn more.
Maine Celtic Celebration, July 18-20, Belfast, Maine. A family-oriented weekend celebrating the rich Celtic heritage. You can learn more online at mainecelticcelebration.com.
Maine Highland Games and Scottish Festival, August 16-17, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, Maine. Two days of Scottish heritage, competitions, music, and entertainment including the 2025 Scottish Heavy Athletics Men’s World Championship. The Maine Ulster-Scots Project will host a clan and family information venue. More information at mainehighlandgames.org.
Quechee Scottish Games and Festival, Quechee, Vermont, August 23. This event offers a gathering of Scottish clans, pipers, highland dancers, and other activities. Check it out at https://quecheegames.org.
New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival, Loon Mountain, New Hampshire, Sept. 19-21. This is described as one of the largest and most diverse highland games held in North America including sheep dog trials, massed bands, food, dance and heavy athletics. Find information online at nhscot.org.
Bangor Celtic Crossroads, summer and fall musical events, schedule online at bangorceltic.org.
While not strictly a Celtic event, though many people with Scots-Irish background were involved, and in keeping with the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, the Burning of Portland Commemoration takes place in Portland on Oct. 18. This will be a full day program of events on the anniversary of the bombardment and burning of Falmouth (now Portland) by the British. The burning of Falmouth was a seminal event in the early days of the American Revolution and cemented American outrage against the British.
Check out the Maine Ulster-Scots Facebook page for news and events, 1718 migration information, genealogy, archaeology projects, ships and Scottish clan lists, and other information including coverage of previous events. The site is here: facebook.com/maineulsterscots.
The Maine Ulster-Scots Project holds open committee meetings on the third Monday of the month from 5-6 p.m. on Zoom and everyone is invited to attend. You can learn more and register for access at their e-mail address at info@MaineUlsterScots.com.
If the term Ulster-Scot is confusing, a very brief history is in order. The former Ulster county in Ireland is now known as Northern Ireland with the addition of one non-Ulster county. The term Ulster Scots arose from the emigration of southern border Scots into Ireland beginning in Tudor times. Most of the Ulster Scots were Presbyterian. To escape persecution and English rule many Ulster Scots emigrated to other countries including Canada and what is now the U.S., particularly New England.
Maine has the highest percentage of Scots Irish descendants in the U.S according to the Maine Ulster Scots Project. Scots in general played a crucial role in the American Revolution, praised by General George Washington.
Columnist Nancy Battick of Dover-Foxcroft has researched genealogy for over 30 years. She is past president of the Maine Genealogical Society, author of several genealogical articles and co-transcribed the Vital Records of Dover-Foxcroft. Nancy holds an MA in History from UM. Reader emails are welcome at nbattick@roadrunner.com.