Sinn Féin says Ulster Scots Agency has to prove “lingusitic element” for America250
Belfast City Hall(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
A spat over the America250 celebrations in Belfast has arisen in City Hall, after the DUP labelled Sinn Féin “petty” for raising questions about £50,000 going to the Ulster Scots Agency from a council language fund.
At Belfast Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee meeting this week, the chamber agreed to an Ulster Scots Agency request for funding of up to £50,000 to support their plans for America250. The decision will go to the full council next month for ratification.
The Ulster Scots Agency is seeking a similar amount from the Stormont Department for Communities.
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A council report on the matter states: “On 4th July 2026, the USA will celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Many Ulster-Scots people helped create this document that shaped the future of the United States of America.
“To mark this significant anniversary, DfC are leading on development work to highlight this unique contribution. The Ulster Scots Agency have shared proposals for activity aligned to a flagship concert to mark the 250th anniversary to take place in July, and a Sister Cities conference to take place in Assembly Buildings in May.”
It adds: “This proposal would align with the council’s Language Strategy Action Plan, which provides for supporting events which promote Ulster Scots. Officers are also exploring other opportunities to support America 250 celebrations, including through the Fleadh Cheoil.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Tómás Ó Néill said at the committee meeting: “The money is coming out of the Strategic Language fund. I don’t see much of the language reflected in it. I appreciate a lot of what the Ulster Scots Agency does is to focus on the cultural links between Ireland and Scotland and America.
“But for linguistic integrity, and the whole point (of the fund), which is to promote indigenous language and minority language, can we insist or ask the Ulster Scots Agency to give a commitment to ensure that Ulster Scots and Scots language are in these events? And are used thoroughly during them? So that this just isn’t about links through heritage.
“The linguistic element has to be central to it, or else I cannot see how it can align through our Strategic Language Action Plan.”
A council officer said she would raise this with Ulster Scots representatives next week.
Sinn Féin Councillor Áine McCabe said: “I have raised it before that this issue is not simply the prerogative of the Ulster Scots tradition. The Irish connection in the development of the USA is well-documented.
“I feel obliged to reiterate that some would question celebrating this anniversary, as opposed to commemorating it, not least the many indigenous people (whose ancestors) were there long before 1776. I think it would allow for a deeper, more inclusive (event), rather than simple triumphalism, or glossing over historic injustices, such as slavery.”
She added: “This city has two traditions, and when we are doing stuff with Sister Cities, I find it difficult to see the Irish tradition being celebrated at all. In Nashville I was very uncomfortable with it when I was there.”
DUP Councillor Sarah Bunting replied at the committee: “It is slightly petty, if I am honest, for Tómás to raise what he has. It is well-known within the Strategy that Ulster-Scots doesn’t just focus on language, that it is on the culture and heritage too. And the Ulster Scots group in the City Council focuses on the heritage and culture as much as the language.
“So I don’t think it is right to say that, but I am happy for something to come back to this committee.”
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