A 360° video series immersing you in the world of Ulster’s Rhyming Weavers – Ulster-Scots poets who flourished over the 18th & 19th Centuries. In this episode we hear about John McKinley – the Bard of Dunseverick. Filmed on Rathlin Island, the most northerly inhabited island off the coast of Ireland and which features in the poem we hear. We don’t know exact dates for when he was born or died, but presumably he was born in the Dunseverick area in the latter part of the 18th century. He was writing verse by 1811 and submitting work to the Belfast Newsletter by 1815. He published a volume of poems in 1819, brought out a new edition in 1821 and then disappears from the records. During this short period, he travelled extensively around Ireland and became so well known that over 1800 people subscribed to his first book – including almost 150 clergymen of different denominations. His constant source of inspiration was this landscape of North Antrim with its stunning geology and geography, flora and fauna, folklore, history and ever-changing weather. Enjoy a reading of John McKinley’s poem “On Mr JB Leaving The Island Of Rathlin”, written in the beautiful Ulster-Scots of 19th century North Antrim. It concerns an acquaintance, addressed only as Mr JB, who has been on Rathlin as part of a shooting party – but now, it seems, has died, much to the relief of the island’s wildlife. The poem begins by reassuring various types of bird that they can sing with happiness because Mr JB has left; while the hares can come out of hiding from his dogs. He recalls the echo of bullets startling the inhabitants of Rathlin – but now “a lasting sleep” has stopped the breath of Mr JB – a worse blow to him even than receiving a bill for poaching! And yet, McKinley reminds the wildlife that in winter weather, Mr JB would tie his dog up so it wouldn’t harm the hares; and when the birds and rabbits ate his crops, he didn’t shoot them even though he had a licence to. Produced with the support of Northern Ireland Screen’s Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund, the series has been filmed using a 360° camera. You can use your mouse (or a VR headset) to look all around you. For best experience, watch using a desktop, laptop, tablet or VR headset.