International Women’s Day

08 March 2025

8 March is International Women’s Day – a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

Over the years, several women have contributed greatly to the Ulster-Scots history, heritage and language; and proudly continue to inspire females around the world to embrace our living culture and discover more Ulster-Scots today.   

This IWD we’re highlighting a special group of Ulster-Scots women from Portstewart, Co Antrim.  

Established in December 2016, Dalriada Training Services CIC arose after recognising a gap in the community and voluntary sector within the Causeway Coast and Glens area.  

“We recognised that many in our communities felt compelled to source training and development from Belfast – a costly exercise often fraught with misunderstandings of local sensitivities,” the group explained. “Our collective skillset, knowledge, and fervour drove us to develop tailored programmes aimed at identifying and nurturing local leaders who would, in turn, uplift their own communities.”  

Dalriada Training’s Board, which consists of three astute women, is an embodiment of resilience. Each woman brings her unique skills and personality, and we are acutely aware of the trials many women face in accessing activities and learning due to family responsibilities and competing commitments. For the group, they say it is vital they create not just learning opportunities, but safe spaces where women can experiment, explore, and find their voices.  

Located along the majestic North Coast, Dalriada’s members are proud of their Ulster-Scots heritage.  In their own words, “it is more than a mere sentiment; it is woven into the very fabric of who we are.”

With this in mind, the group endeavours to ensure that members of its community grasp their historical journeys, embracing their backgrounds and the essence of their identity.  

One of the most memorable projects involved collaborating with HERstory – Women in Loyalism to offer taster sessions in Lambeg drumming and fifing through the Bannside Fife and Lambeg Drumming Club. With a mix of excitement and apprehension, women gathered at Killowen Orange Hall for the classes. While they had no previous experience in drumming, the men who regularly attended the group were significantly more advanced; but Lambeg drumming and fifing were not just activities for many of the women. Rather, they represented a rich familial tradition passed down through generations.  

However, this tradition had largely remained the preserve of men, leaving women on the periphery despite their historical ties. As a result, when the taster sessions concluded, the women felt they could not continue, fearing they would hold the men back.  

As a non-profit organisation, every bit of profit goes back into the community, whether supporting individuals or enabling groups to host events or provide free training. So, recognising the transformative potential of these classes, in 2024, Dalriada applied for funding under the Ulster-Scots Agency’s Music and Dance Tuition Programme.  

The application focused on the establishment of women-only beginner classes.  

Following a successful application, partnerships for Dalriada emerged with HERstory and the newly formed Daughters of Dalriada WLOL 234. 

Starting in September 2024 and concluding in February 2025, the tuition programme ran for 20 weeks. From the outset, participants ranged from members of our initial groups to other local women who spotted news of the classes on social media.  

Commenting on the activities, the group said: “With each session, we witnessed breakthroughs – not merely in technique but in the self-esteem and confidence of every participant. The fifing group faced its challenges, often struggling to achieve the right sound, yet the air filled with laughter and encouragement rather than discouragement. The camaraderie born from shared frustrations and successes transformed the experience into a celebration of our Ulster-Scots identity, highlighting the spirit of empowerment intrinsic to our culture.”  

This was a sentiment echoed by one of the participants. “I wanted to learn more about our Ulster-Scots heritage and see where Lambeg drums and fifes fitted in. I found the history and the connections interesting. The tutoring was fantastic; we were made to feel confident in the classes and I loved the camaraderie with all the women, encouraging each other and to play the Lambeg and fife.”  

Another attendee added, “I'm not originally from Northern Ireland. I moved to here from Portsmouth, England, 13 years ago. I didn’t know a thing about Ulster-Scots and Lambeg drums until I attended a 12th July and fell in love with the Lambeg the minute I heard them. That is when I decided if I had the opportunity to learn about Ulster-Scots I would attend. I really enjoyed the classes – the tutors were extremely patient.”

The classes culminated in more than just the mastery of instruments; they built friendships and reaffirmed a shared identity. Each woman recognised that their individual achievements, however small, were milestones. The journey illuminated not just our cultural pride, but also the resilience of women standing together. 

As the programme drew to a close, it was evident that to Dalriada that its journey was only just beginning with the women expressing a keen desire for the sessions to continue, especially in the realm of Lambeg drumming. This programme has sparked a genuine desire for further learning, not only in musicality but also in exploring Ulster-Scots roots more deeply.  

Commenting on their future plans, the group said: “We are determined to maintain momentum, and we have discovered some old Lambeg drums in Bushmills Orange Hall that we intend to work with the Orange Hall committee to restore and bring back into use.  

“With the essence of International Women’s Day at the fore, we invite all to reflect on their identities, support one another, and strive for spaces where we acknowledge and cherish our unique stories. The path might be fraught with challenges, but together, we can create an empowering environment that affirms our abilities, celebrates our heritage, and nurtures our women.” 

Photo credit: McAuley Multimedia.