Knock to host big Burns Supper

People all over the world hold hands and sing his most famous song on the stroke of midnight each New Year.

Now, the team at Knock Counselling Centre is getting ready to roll out the tartan and celebrate Scotland’s national poet and the lyricist of Auld Lang Syne, Robert Burns with a traditional Burns Supper on January 30.

The lavish supper is a great annual celebration in Scotland to mark Burns Day and will take place in Knock House Hotel to help raise funds for Knock Counselling Centre’s adolescent counselling service.

The feast will include the famous Scots dish, Haggis, ‘tatties’ and “neeps”, washed down with an array of Scottish poetry, songs and Celtic tunes.

Knock Counselling Centre hosts a Burns Supper each year, organised by native Scot Peter Devers, who works as a psychotherapist at the centre.

He said: “Robert Burns’ songs, poetry, and his love for the common man is celebrated worldwide every January. I am delighted that we are now sharing our tradition with our Celtic cousins in Ireland.”

Fiona McCarthy, director of the centre, said: “A Burns Supper is a uniquely Scottish occasion. We are delighted to have guests from Scotland and Ireland lined up to perform songs, poetry and music, which will help support our low cost counselling service for teens.”

Robert, or ‘Rabbie’ Burns, is Scotland’s national poet but his work is admired all over the world. He was one of the pioneers of the Romantic period and became a Scottish cultural icon after his death in 1796.

Tickets, which cost €30 and include a three-course meal and entertainment, are available from Knock Counselling Centre on (094) 93 75032. Early booking is advised.