A special musical and drama performance celebrating Ulster-American links takes place in Larne next month as part of the Friends’ Goodwill Festival.
Picture by Darren Kidd / Press Eye.
Commissioned by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, American Dreams features artists and groups, including the Harlandic Male Voice Choir, Larne Choral Society, Sir Henry Inglesby Fife and Drum, Larne Drama Circle, and the Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band.
The event is being held in the McNeill Theatre on Thursday 18 May at 7.30pm and promises to take the audience on a voyage through history, starting with the Friends’ Goodwill ship’s departure from Larne 300 years ago.
The show, written and produced by local historian Dr David Hume, also includes historic material, poems and songs especially written for the performance.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Audrey Wales MBE, said: “Admission to American Dreams is free to residents and it promises to be a superb evening of entertainment and reflection.
“The complimentary tickets are available from Larne Tourist Information Centre.
“The production tells the remarkable story of the Ulster Scots emigrants’ voyage to America and launches the Friends’ Goodwill Festival.”
American Dreams will include several set piece dramas, one of which brings the audience into the heart of the Waxhaws region and the creation of the American Declaration of Independence.
The local focus will also include the Timber Ridge community in Virginia, where many families from Ballysnod, Raloo, Browndod and Ballyboley settled from the 1730s.
Back in 1717, 52 pioneering emigrants left Larne on the Friends’ Goodwill ship in pursuit of new lives in America.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is hosting four days of events for all the family to mark the 300th anniversary of the sailing, including outdoor music, concerts, barbecues, historical re-enactments and American-themed sports displays, to commemorate the courage and legacy of all those on board the Friends’ Goodwill.
The packed programme of public, maritime-themed events takes place in Larne from Thursday 18 May until Sunday 21 May.
The Saturdays star Una Healy is headlining the Friends’ Goodwill Festival and will take to the stage at Sandy Bay Playing Fields from 9pm on Saturday 20 May.
Una joins a stellar line-up of performers and acts taking part, including Jim Devine, The Broken String Band, Marty Mone, Dana Masters, Philomena Begley, Four Men and a Dog, Barry Kirwan and Niamh McGlinchey.
For more details visit: midandeastantrim.gov.uk/friendsgoodwill