Fascinating stuff, you guys. John Kennedy is from Cullybackey, which is quite near Ballymena, and not far from where I was raised. Here's an example of a joke in Ulster "Scots".
Q. What is the definition of "passion"?
A. Heavy rain in Cullybackey.

An interesting point about north antrim dialect. while we lengthen vowel sounds we also talk abnormally fast - or at least my mother's family do. Surprised nobody from Derry has been on to stand up for themselves yet.....
a.w.