OU in Ireland hosts panel discussion on Languages of Ulster

On 22 November, The Open University in Ireland hosted a discussion event on the recent BBC/OU co-production Languages of Ulster. The three-part documentary series, explored Ulster’s unique linguistic traditions – Irish Gaelic, northern Hiberno English and Ulster-Scots – and the relationship between them.

The event consisted of a short montage of clips from the programme, and a panel discussion with some of the key contributors to the series and experts in Irish and Ulster Scots: Michael Fanning (Below the Radar TV), Laura Spence (local historian and author), Pauline Holland (Queen’s University Belfast) and Máire Bhreathnach (broadcaster). 

Chaired by John D’Arcy (Director, Ireland), the panel discussed a number of aspects relating to language in Ulster, common words and some of the highlights from the series. The event was attended by a range of stakeholders from the language communities in Ulster.

The series itself was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships at The Open University and co-produced with Below the Radar for BBC Northern Ireland, with much interaction between Open University teams in Belfast and Milton Keynes. OpenLearn features four bespoke follow-on videos to support the series.