On his first visit New Zealand, Irish folk singer and storyteller Colin Urwin will land in Katikati this weekend as the town marks 150 years since the Ulster settlers arrived.

“I’ve performed all over the world – from Australia to America, Canada to China – but I’ve never been to New Zealand,” Urwin told Katikati News from back home earlier this month.

“Until a few months ago, I must confess, I hadn’t even heard of Katikati. I have now and I’ve a funny feeling it’s somewhere that will get stuck in my heart.”

Urwin, who is known internationally for being a modern-day folk singer, songwriter, oral storyteller, poet and author, will perform at some of this weekend’s events that nod to the Ulster Irish settlers’ arrival in 1875.

According to Western Bay of Plenty Community Archives Collection (WBOPCAC), a ship named the Carisbrooke Castle voyaged from Liverpool, England, and arrived in Auckland, NZ, on September 8, 1875, with 238 of George Vesey Stewart’s settlers on-board. They travelled on to Katikati via Tauranga, arriving a few days later.

Stewart, who became known as the town’s founder, also brought a second party to NZ, including passengers from England and Scotland, aboard the Lady Jocelyn – which arrived in Auckland on August 17, 1878, according to WBOPCAC.

The Katikati community is invited to a flurry of events from this afternoon, Friday, September 12 through to Sunday, September 14.

Irish folk singer and storyteller Colin Urwin. Photo / Supplied

People can catch the Seanchaí – traditional Irish storyteller and historian, a bearer of old lore who passes on history, myths, and legends through the oral tradition – on Saturday and Sunday.

He will open the ticketed sold-out Katikati Folk Club’s festival of Irish Music and Song tonight.

But his main performance will be at Katikati War Memorial Hall on Saturday, September 12, from 2.30pm-4pm. The event is free – and Urwin is known to captivate audiences with his humour, a rich blend of tradition and originality, and his many hauntingly beautiful stories, songs and verse.

He will also perform at Settlers’ Dance that night, and the Athenree Homestead Fair on Sunday, September 14.

Urwin, who hails from Northern Ireland, was very excited to perform as part of Katikati’s 150th anniversary events, but also a little nervous.

“Usually, I’ve built up an online audience before I travel somewhere, but New Zealand is completely new territory for me.

“Once I began researching Katikati’s story, though, I felt a real connection and pride. Some of those early settlers, who endured such incredible hardships to carve out a new life on the other side of the world, came from just a handful of miles from where I live.

“Some may even be distant relatives – where I come from, you’re never too far from a third or fourth cousin! In a strange way, and obviously to a much lesser degree, it feels like I’m following in their footsteps.”

When he dreads his slightly tiring 40-hour journey by trains, planes, and automobiles to Katikati, Urwin said: “I’ll try to think about the gruelling 13-week sea voyage those hardy folk undertook 150 years ago”.

Billed as an international folk singer, these days Urwin said he’s better known as a traditional oral storyteller who also sings.

“No two performances are ever the same – they’re always a lively mix of stories, songs and recitations. In Ulster, it’s a strong tradition to tell stories in verse, and having researched and written five volumes of local tales, I’ve got plenty of yarns to share.”

Most of all, audiences can expect good old Ulster wit and a bit of tongue-in-cheek wisdom, said Urwin. “I’ve no doubt the good folk of Katikati have kept alive the Ulster man and woman’s love of a bit of craic and a ceilidh. As we say here – it will be mighty!”