The Grand Design
The Chronicle of a Scots-Irish journey to the New World
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In July, 1741, a group of 200 people from Northern Ireland left Derry bound for Philadelphia. Battered by hurricane, wrecked on a desolate island and abandoned by their captain, some had the strength and courage to survive through the winter.
Based on 18th century documents and narratives, this is the story of their journey.
Historically, I believe that the Grand Design was an emigration scheme circa 1741 with the goal of bringing about 200 Scots-Irish Presbyterians to Philadelphia. The ship, called Martha & Eliza, left Londonderry, Northern Ireland in July, but encountered a storm which disabled the masts. In November, after drifting about 10 weeks in the North Atlantic, they were cast on the desolate shore of Grand Manan Island, now part of New Brunswick, Canada.
Many of the passengers had succumbed to stress and deprivation. The captain and crew left the survivors and sailed in the longboat to Fort Frederick at Pemaquid where, twelve years earlier, Colonel David Dunbar had brought a group of Scots/Irish from Ulster to rebuilt the fort and they had remained a thriving colony.
The captain and crew of the Martha & Eliza tarried here for several weeks. Eventually they returned to the wreck intending to salvage the goods on board and, finding passengers still alive, removed some of them to New Harbor. These were charged an exorbitant fee for their rescue.
This first group registered a complaint with the Governor in Boston who caused another ship to be sent for the remaining survivors. Another group was removed, but because the captain had originally dispersed the people around the island, some were left to endure the entire winter. These were finally found in April by Native Americans (Passamaquoddy) who carried letters to settlers at the fort in St George, Maine, over 100 miles from the island, and arranged their rescue.
The last group consisted of ten women including Isabel Galloway, and her infant child. She married a local man, Archibald Gamble, also from Northern Ireland. Many of the survivors were taken in by the people of New Harbor, Damariscotta, Warren, and Boothbay. Many remained in Maine, married locally, and their descendants still live in the area.
Grand Design Programs
The Grand Design can be presented as a fully staged production, a concert version, and as readers theater using our musicians and projections.
The Grand Design may also be licensed for production by your company.
To host or collaborate a performance call 207-529-5438, email castlebay@castlebay.net or write to Castlebay, PO Box 168, Round Pond, ME 04564
2019-09-02 © Castlebay, Inc.
Newsletter and concert summary
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Concerts in Brief
Beltane Concert - Spring is here!
Merrimack Public Library, 470 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, NH
In Northern Europe, the first of May has been, since ancient times, a time for revelry and celebration. The world is finally released from Winter’s grasp and Spring enlivens every living thing. A wealth of lore and music is associated with this time and on May 2 the folk duo Castlebay will present joyous songs and stories in a traditional May Garland.
The evidence left us by the early inhabitants of the British Isles indicates that they viewed the calendar year as a circle or wheel with fixed points determined by solar and lunar activity. In addition to the well-known solstices and equinoxes, the ancients marked the cross quarter days or halfway points between with appropriate celebration. Beltane, also called May Day, is one of these "cross-quarter" days, and is celebrated on May 1st, the midpoint between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice.
The music and lore of the British Isles is alive with imagery associated with the turning points of the year and our relationship to the natural world. In many areas, these traditions are still carried on. The "Queen of May" and her consort the "Green Man" preside over Beltane.The denizens of the Fairy realm travel between the worlds. New life is celebrated in symbolic activities assuring the fertility of animals and crops for the rest of the year. The great fruitfulness of the earth and the exuberance of Spring are honored, beginning the night before, with a carefree sense of playful abandon. Rising to greet the dawn, celebrants sing, gather flowers, and dance around the May Pole.
In olden times a garland was not only a woven chain of flowers, but also a collection of songs and music. In this year's May Garland, traditional musicians Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee (known as Castlebay) of Round Pond, Maine, will join voices and instruments to weave together songs and tunes celebrating the coming of May. These fine singers support their vocals with a variety of instruments including Celtic harps, 14 string guitars, fiddles, and woodwinds. The music will be interspersed with humor and historic anecdotes. Come and join Castlebay to cast off winter's cloak as the music of Spring fills the air.
The 2024 Connecticut Sea Music Festival will take place in Essex, CT on June 7-10th. We’re a traditional maritime folk festival, partnering with the town as well as with individual venues to bring you the music. The daytime events are free, with donations accepted. Evening Concerts are ticketed.