Schomberg Mourne UlsterScots

19/09/2026

A special thanks to all of the brilliant performers and speakers who participated to a packed audience in the official opening of our new 𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐥𝐞 & 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥! 🍁

We were truly inspired by the encouraging words from all of the speakers who represented our range of Ulster-Scots groups within the Schomberg Society.

We know this new facility is going to make a tremendous difference to supporting all of our groups expand their outreach here in the Kingdom of Mourne.

The official opening ceremony also featured performances of the best of Ulster-Scots music and dance by our members, who were all absolutely terrific! 👏

The excitement is already building for the fantastic range of activities, programmes and events that this new Ulster-Scots Culture & Sports Centre will provide for our local community! 🙌

We are most thankful to The Loyal True Blue and Orange Home in Canada for their support with our new centre, and to our good friends Mark and Amy Aiken for their continued support and friendship, which made this new chapter in the Schomberg Society possible.

‘𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝑨𝒎𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒚 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒅’ 🔥

19/09/2026

The Schomberg Fife and Drum band performing alongside the Kathryn Stewart’s Highland Dancers and Display Team! What a fantastic performance! 🥁💃

18/09/2026

𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 | ‘𝐓𝐡𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐥𝐞 & 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥’ 🍁

Yesterday was a red letter day for the Schomberg Society, as we officially opened our additional new 𝗨𝗹𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 & 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 in Kilkeel, appropriately named ‘Tha Maple & Mourne Hall’.

Formerly the old Kilkeel Baptist Church, this fantastic new facility will support the development and expansion of the Schomberg Society’s current Ulster-Scots outreach programmes, while also creating opportunities for some exciting new initiatives for the local Mourne community.

We were thrilled to be joined by our two close friends, Mark and Amy Aiken, who travelled all the way from Canada, to do us the honour of officially cutting the ribbon, unveiling the plaque and opening this amazing new centre.

The Schomberg Society wishes to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to The Loyal True Blue and Orange Home in Canada, for their support to have made this new chapter possible.

This tremendous Canadian-based charity has shown immense support for many of the Schomberg Society’s educational programmes in recent years, and their contribution with this new centre will have a significant impact on the lives of hundreds and hundreds of local people, both young and old.

Last night was a most memorable occasion, with standing room only for a special ceremony, where members from each of our Ulster-Scots groups shared what the new facility will bring for them.

A range of top class Ulster-Scots musical and dance performances by our own group members were also enjoyed during the ceremony.

The Schomberg Society would like to take this opportunity to thank the following…

✨Mark Aiken, Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada, and his wife, Amy Aiken, a direct descendent of Lady Verner, who founded the Lodge, which established The Loyal True Blue & Orange Home, Canada.
✨ The friendship, generosity and support from both Mark and Amy with this project, will leave a lasting legacy for so many people here in the Kingdom of Mourne.
✨ The Loyal True Blue & Orange Home for their support, without which, the acquisition of this new facility would not be possible.
✨ All of the volunteers who contributed countless hours in preparing the centre for its official opening.
✨ Everyone who came along to the opening ceremony, with a special mention to all of the performers, speakers and volunteers.
✨ Kilkeel Baptist Church for all of their support with the facility.
✨ Anyone who contributed in any way to make this project happen - we greatly appreciate all of the encouragement we have received.

The Schomberg Society now looks forward to commencing this exciting new chapter, and of course, welcoming all of you to the wonderful new 𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐥𝐞 & 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥! 🍁

Here’s just a few photos from the official opening ceremony…lot’s more to follow! 📸

17/09/2026

Our Schomberg Fife and Drum Band is delighted to be once again leading the Ulster Day Parade in Tandragee next Saturday 26th September, hosted by Moyrourkan True Blues LOL 305A.

The parade will commence at 3pm, making its way to Tandragee District Orange Hall for addresses by Rev. Mervyn Gibson, Rev. David McLaughlin and Historian Quincey Dougan.

All members of the Loyal Orders, including the Junior Orange are more than welcome to take part to mark this important date in the calendar. 🇬🇧

16/09/2026

It’s great to continue working with Moneyrea Primary School, to offer weekly tuition classes in the chanter and bagpipes with Tutor Ian Burrows! 🎶

Thanks to the school for once again working with us, and to the Ulster-Scots Agency for supporting this outreach as part of their School Tuition project! 👏

Thanks to generous sponsorship from the Schomberg Society and Ulster-Scots Agency, chanter lessons 🎶are once again available f.o.c. for our Yr4-7 pupils.

It is hoped that this will lead on to some of our children learning to play the bagpipes viz. Alexander and Joel 👊🏻

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

When places are filled we will operate a waiting list.

Children will need to purchase a chanter (£30) and commit to practising.

Lessons are on Tuesdays, during the school day.

Schomberg Mourne UlsterScots

15/09/2026

We’re delighted to be once again working with Newry High School, and commencing the new term of Highland Bagpipe Tuition Classes in the school with Tutor Ian Burrows! 🙌

Thanks to the Ulster-Scots Agency for supporting this School Tuition programme! 👏

🎶 Fancy learning something new? 🎶

We’re delighted to offer fully funded Bagpipe & Chanter lessons at Newry High School with Mr Ian Burrows, starting Wednesday 16th September at 9.00am.

⭐ No previous experience needed
⭐ All pupils welcome
⭐ A great opportunity to learn a new musical skill
⭐ Fully funded by the Ulster Scots Agency through the Schomberg Society

📣 Interested? Sign up with Mrs McCabe-Wells by Tuesday 15th September.

🎵 Come along and give it a go!

14/09/2026

Congratulations to the Boxers of the Month at our Schomberg Boxing Club Kilkeel! 🥊

➡️ Billy-Jean | Junior Boxer of the Month

➡️ Alfie | Senior Boxer of the Month

The Boxing Club is continuing to train on both Mondays and Thursdays in the Silent Valley Orange Hall, from 7.15pm-8pm for beginners and from 8pm-9pm for seniors and adults.

Everyone welcome! 💪

14/09/2026

Please note, our staff have been out of office from Wednesday of last week due to the wedding of two of our members, Christopher and Megan.

Please bear with us as we catch-up on all of the emails, messages and calls. 📧 📞

We will do our best to respond to everyone as quickly as possible. ✅

Thanks in advance for your co-operation, it is greatly appreciated.

14/09/2026

𝐅𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 / 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 | 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠! 🎻

The Schomberg Society is looking forward to commencing our new term of Fiddle / Violin Tuition Classes from tomorrow evening! 🙌

𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄... 👇

📆 Tuesday evenings (Commencing from tomorrow evening - Tuesday 15th September 2026)

⏰ Classes between the times of 7pm - 9pm

📍 Tha Hairtlan Hub, Kilkeel

𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿...

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Adults & Children
🎼 Beginners & Experienced Players

🎵 Opportunities are available for Examinations and Performances.

Instruments are provided and everyone is very welcome. 🎻

For further information or to book a place on our Fiddle / Violin classes, please contact the Schomberg Society:

☎️ 07753222553
📱 Send us a PM
📧 [email protected]

This activity has been made possible by the support of the Ulster-Scots Agency. 👏

13/09/2026

𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐔𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

It was fantastic to bring local children together yesterday in Reivers House to enjoy Ulster-Scots as part of European Open Heritage Day 2026! 🙌

The boys and girls enjoyed a wee bit of Ulster-Scots cookery - helping to make pancakes with Ruth from the Silent Valley Cafe! 🥞🥛🧈

Local Ulster-Scots Poet, Wendy Hanna helped the weans learn about Ulster-Scots culture and food traditions, while encouraging their Ulster-Scots creative writing skills! 📝

The children also enjoyed taking part in Ulster-Scots Arts and Crafts, which were designed to specifically mark European Open Heritage Day! 🖍️

A special thanks to the tutors for joining with us, and also to our brilliant team of leaders for helping make this event possible! 👏



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