Exciting News for Ulster-Scots Heritage- dedicated Ulster-Scots digital radio and podcast platform

Entertainment Events Organisation has received £5,486 in funding from National Lottery Awards for All to create a dedicated Ulster-Scots digital radio and podcast platform. This project will capture and share the living cultural heritage of rural communities across Northern Ireland.

The funding will help us purchase new recording, production, and broadcast equipment so we can document oral histories, traditional music, storytelling, and customs that are often undocumented and at risk of being lost. All content will be made freely available to the public as part of a digital archive and podcast series.

The project gives voice to older community members, strengthens pride in Ulster-Scots cultural identity, and engages young people through modern media and skills development. Beneficiaries include rural Ulster-Scots communities, tradition bearers, schools, cultural organisations, and the wider public locally and internationally. We will also involve the Ulster-Scots diaspora, particularly in North America.

Over 18 months, we will continuously record, edit, and broadcast content, promoting it through local media, community events, social media, and partnerships with schools and cultural organisations including the Ulster Scots Agency and RSPB NI.

Community involvement is at the heart of this project. It has been developed in response to conversations with local residents, musicians, educators, and heritage groups across Ballymena, Bushmills, Ballymoney, and surrounding rural areas. A community steering group representing multiple generations will help shape the platform. Participants will be involved at every stage—from sharing stories and performing music to producing, presenting, and promoting content.

We will also provide free early-stage training in media production, interviewing, and technical skills to support young people and those with limited access to creative opportunities. Feedback from listeners, volunteers, and contributors will be gathered throughout to evaluate impact and guide future heritage initiatives.

“Our project was made possible thanks to #NationalLottery players,” said Brian Wilson, Treasurer at Entertainment Events Organisation. “This funding allows us to build a lasting platform that strengthens cultural understanding, preserves shared heritage, and brings communities together through local voices and stories.”

This project builds on smaller-scale community storytelling and heritage podcast pilots and represents a significant step towards a sustainable Ulster-Scots digital broadcasting platform for the future.

📢 Follow our journey and stay tuned for podcasts, community stories, and events.

#NationalLottery #UlsterScotsHeritage #CommunityVoices #DigitalStorytelling