Willie Drennan - Performing Artist, Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Poet, Writer
Willie Drennan Profile.
Willie Drennan is a traditional musician, storyteller, poet and writer, who draws much of his material from the Ulster Scots cultural traditions of his native County Antrim.
He also travelled and worked extensively in Europe and North America, between 1976 and 1997.
His most recent achievements are:
Since returning to Northern Ireland, he has produced thirteen CD recordings for the Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra Association.
Created and developed an Ulster-Scots Youth/Schools Programme, 1998- 2009.
Directed and fronted the Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra and associated folk bands in over 800 performances. 2001 to 2009
‘Wee Book’ and accompanying CD published by Ullans Press. 2004
Researched and scripted stage show entitled Fae Lang Syne: the story of Ulster-Scots from ancient times to the present day, told through narration, music, song and dance. Performed at 24 theatres/festivals. 2004-2006
Produced CD recording entitled 'Oor Wee Scuil' – ‘Sangs and Rimes for Weans’ for the Ulster-Scots Primary School Project at Stranmillis University, Belfast. 2003
Recitation of poems for CD recording. Newtownabbey Borough Council's 'Sentry Hill Museum Project'. 2003
Presented several radio shows for BBC Radio Ulster's 'Kist O Wurds' programme. 2005-2008
Presented a series of 8 television shows for BBC NI called, 'A Dander with Drennan'. 2005-2008. Background music composed/produced by Willie Drennan.
Featured on RTE TV documentary, ‘Cultures of Ulster’. 2005
Book entitled 'Big Lang Danner' exploring cultural links with South West Scotland. Published by Ulllans Press 2007
Created and scripted stage show ‘An Ulster Address to Rabbie Burns’. Performed at 12 theatres/festivals in 2009.
Founded 'The Ulster Folk', a grassroots arts and culture periodical and website, July 2010. Currently editor of this publication.
Recorded CD entitled 'Journey To Orion', by Willie Drennan Wired Up. This album is a new musical direction; fusing trad and roots with rock and blues. December 2011.
Venues/ Festivals include:
Toronto Storytelling Festival, Emory University in Atlanta, Cave Run Storytelling Festival in Kentucky, Morehead University, Frankfort Folklife Festival, Flight of the Earls Festival in Rome, Hammersmith Irish Centre, Manchester Irish Festival, Festival at the Edge, Eden Arts Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, Portpatrick Folk Festival, Seacat Storytelling Festival, Wigtown Book Festival, Boyle Arts Festival, National Museum of Ireland, University of Limerick, Maiden City Festival, Verbal Arts Centre, Ulster Storytelling Festival, Belfast Waterfront, Belfast Festival at Queens, Belfast Literary Festival, Belfast Children’s Festival.
Other Activities:
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Workshops - Delivered over 60 cultural heritage related workshops on a wide range of topics including, storytelling, traditional music/ song/poetry, the Lambeg drum, and the works of Rabbie Burns.
Tour Guide - Guide on over 30 one-week long, bicycle and hiking tours. 1995 to 2007. Also many one-off cultural presentations to tourist groups.
CBC Radio, Canada. 5 contracts to create and perform original stories and music. 1995-1997
Other previous employment includes: Owner/manager of a small market-gardening business, Nova Scotia 1989 to 1995. Fanny Cradock’s gardener, Guernsey 1979. Pruned olive grove, Israel 1980.
Voluntary Work: Co-founded and initially coordinated the Fundy Folk Society, Canada 1989. This society developed into the present-day successful Evergreen Theatre of Nova Scotia.
Member of Ballymena Arts Partnership since April 2010.
Willie pictured outside Belfast City Hall with his new book 'Big Lang Danner'
TO ENQUIRE ABOUT BOOKING 'WILLIE DRENNAN' PLEASE CALL 028 2564 3949.
