First broadcast: on BBC Radio UlsterLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio Ulster
The important contribution to improving the world around us by the Ulster-Scot scientist, Hans Sloane is described. His recipe for milk chocolate and his pioneering work into smallpox is outlined. Show more
The life and times of David Manson, the Belfast school teacher and reformer is outlined. In the 18th century, Manson set up his own school, worked as a brewer and dabbled in inventions. Show more
The emigration of the famine starved Irish to America and the life and hardships they faced in their new country is outlined. We learn how these people helped to build a prosperous and free America.
The daughter of a landlord – Sophie, describes the devastating consequences of the Irish famine from 1848, leaving her father no choice but to pay for the assisted passage of tenants to emigrate.
The origin and religious dedication of Colmcille; prince of the Christian church is explored. We learn how he went against the will of St Finian, and was subsequently exiled to Iona. Show more
Douglas Carson explores the past and present in places along the Antrim Coast Road. We visit St Mary's Primary School in Cushendall and hear from the last inhabitant of the Hidden Village at Galbally. Show more
We learn about the singers and songs of the North of Ireland, as well as the stories behind the songs of tradesmen, cobblers, weavers, thatchers and schoolmasters, passed down and sung at kailyes. Show more
John and Ann discover many types of shared experience in Ulster-Scots culture: stories, films, sports, music - and they listen to a musician and story-teller.
Pupils are asked to listen to and explore the Ulster-Scots language of people in Ulster. John and Ann discover that local accents and dialect words are a source of linguistic diversity and enrichment. Show more
A dramatisation of the potato blight that first hit Ireland in 1845, which led many tenants to suffer from disease and to render them unable to pay land rents, causing many to migrate to America.
Jane Cassidy explores the tradition of Irish rhyme and song used to celebrate one's pride of place, looking at the travelling poets and harpists, and the practice of selling ballads at hiring fairs. Show more
We go back in time and visit one weaver poet known as the Bard of Dunclug and learn about the decline of the hand loom with the industrial revolution. We also hear about Hugh Porter's strong views. Show more
Ulster and Scotland are connected by stories and songs which have travelled with Irish and Scottish tinkers, tramps, workers and musicians, and have been passed on in homes and at ceilidhs. Show more
Leon McAuley meets the Bard of Dunclug - David Herbison. The independent weaver talks about the changes in Ballymena, his use of words and his collection of three thousand books.