An Comunn Gàidhealac

Mod News

Adult competitions Commence!

Well done to all the children who took part in this year's Royal National Mod!  Check out our results section of the website to view who took home the prizes for this year's competitions:

http://www.acgmod.org/nationalmod/results-2012/
  

The adult competitions have now commenced with the Silver Pendant, Drama, Traditional and Gold Medal Finals taking place this evening (Wednesday) and tomorrow. 

We would like to wish all individual competitors, groups and choirs all the very best for competitions taking place on Thursday and Friday.  Good luck and enjoy yourselves!

Published: 17th Oct 2012

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Fiddler’s Rally

This year's Fiddler's Rally concert will take place this evening (Saturday 14th) in the Queen's Hall, Dunoon at 7.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased at the Mod Information Desk in the Queens Hall up until 5pm.  Alternatively, you can pay at the door.

Tickets are priced £9 for An Comunn members and £10 for non-members.

Published: 13th Oct 2012

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Results

Keep up to date with the results from this year's Royal National Mod competitions.

You can view these via the following link:

http://www.acgmod.org/nationalmod/results 

Published: 13th Oct 2012

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Traditional Final

 

Please note that the Traditional Final competition on Thursday 18th October will commence at 19.30 and not 19.00 as stated on the Events list on page 15 in the programme.

Published: 10th Oct 2012

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Celtic Praise Time Amendment

 

Please note that the Celtic Praise service at this year's Royal National Mod will take place at 8pm on Sunday 14th October, in the Queen's Hall, and not at 8.30pm.

We hope to see you there!

Published: 05th Oct 2012

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Outstanding Trophies!

There are still a number of trophies that have not been returned to the Mod office. This will inevitably cause huge disappointment for new competitors, if there is no prize to be awarded to them on the day.

If you are still in possession of any trophies, please call us on 01851 703 487 to advise us of their return.

As stated in the rules, those who have not returned their trophies by August 31st will incur a fine.

If your intention is to bring them to the Mod in Dunoon this year, you MUST notify us of this.

 

Published: 04th Oct 2012

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Inverness Fashion Show

 

 

An Comunn Gaidhealach

   Royal National Mod 2014 & Inverness Local Mod

 

 

“Autumn Fashion Show”

 

 

M & Co, Academy Street, Inverness

 

Thursday 4th October 2012

 

Contact details: 

Kathleen Macleod  01463 241340 or Mobile 07833950275

Murdina Mackay   01463 791361 or Mobile 07833666353

 

 

 

Published: 25th Sep 2012

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September 400 Club Draw

Here are the winners of the September Inverness 400 Club - Congratulations! 

£250 - Aberfeldy and District Gaelic Choir

£100 - Floranne Reid, Rosemarkie

£50 - P.W.Harkness, Inverness

Published: 21st Sep 2012

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New Clarsach Society Email

Please note the new email address for the Clarsach Society:

[email protected]

Michelle Kelly, Administrator

The Clarsach Society - Comunn na Clàrsaich

Studio G43, Out of the Blue Drill Hall

36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh

EH6 8RG

Tel - 0131 554 0212

Published: 20th Sep 2012

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Clarsach Concert

Published: 19th Sep 2012

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Mod 2012 Schedule Announced

DUNOON TO HOST 109th ROYAL NATIONAL Mòd

PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED FOR DUNOON EVENT  

Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (The Royal National Mòd), Scotland’s premier festival celebrating Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, will this year travel to Dunoon for the seventh time in its 120 year history, last visiting the town in 2006.

The eight day celebration of Gaelic music, dance, drama, arts and literature, which takes place from Friday 12th until Saturday 20th October, is set to attract thousands of participants and visitors.

Organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, the world’s oldest and most respected Gaelic organisation, The Royal National Mòd is a competition based event which attracts Highland dancers, pipers, musicians, singers and many more competitors from communities throughout the world. 

Now in its 120th year, the Royal National Mòd has a long and impressive history and has evolved to become the most important festival of the Gaelic language in Scotland, regularly playing host to Gaelic speakers and competitors from as far afield as Australia, USA and Canada.

John Morrison, chief executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said:  “This is the seventh time Dunoon has hosted the Royal National Mòd and we’re delighted to come back to Dunoon as we always receive such a fantastic welcome from the locals here. 

“Having recently played host to the Cowal Highland Games, the people in Dunoon are well versed in accommodating a plethora of dancers, musicians and pipers so we’ll be sure to take full advantage of the hospitality throughout our week-long visit.”

First held in 1892, the Royal National Mòd has evolved to be the second most important festival in Scotland, with ever increasing popularity and visitors coming from as far as Australia, USA and Canada. Since 1912 the Mòd has been associated with the royal family, the Queen herself is a patron of the Mòd’s parent body An Comunn Gàidhealach, and members of the Royal Family regularly attend the event including HRH Duke of Rothesay who visited the Mòd in 2010 when Caithness played host for the first time.


While the Mòd is mainly a competition based event, it also has a huge social influence and responsibility. By promoting and celebrating the Gaelic culture publicly on an international stage, it helps to bring people and communities – Gaelic and non-Gaelic – together. It provides an incentive for talented individuals and groups to develop and refine their talents in the public arena.

The Royal National
Mòd offers a huge range of opportunities for people to compete, from fluent Gaelic speakers to those in the fledgling stages of learning the language.

The festival kicks off on Friday 12th October with a grand opening ceremony taking place in the Queen’s Hall early evening.

Saturday traditionally plays host to the annual shinty match which this year sees Kyles Athletic play Bute as well as the fiercely fought out football competition this year Dunoon will play against the 2013 Mòd host venue: Paisley.  The fiddlers rally is also hosted over the weekend in the Queen's Hall with hundreds of musicians demonstrating their skills in a musical maelstrom.

                                                                                   

Children’s competitions take place at the start of the week and with nearly 1,650 children from across the country taking part, entries look similar to the last time the Mòd visited Dunoon.  The adult Traditional and Gold Medal qualifying rounds and Clarsach competions will take place on Wednesday 17 October with the finals on Thursday 18 October. Entries from male competitors are very healthy with more men entering both the Traditional and Gold medal competitions this year.

The coveted Lovat & Tullibardine and Margrat Duncan titles will be awarded on Friday 19 October before the final concert takes place. The grand finale of the 2012 Royal National Mòd will take place on Saturday 20 October when the Massed Choirs will gather and parade through Dunoon town centre led by local Pipe bands.

The fringe activities also offer an annual opportunity for Gaels and non-Gaels to gather and renew old friendships as well as forging new ones. Activity for this year includes ceilidhs in the Glenmorag Hotel, Park Hotel, the Braes, Ingrams bar, Sinbads and 51st State as well as a concert to commemorate the 120 year link between the Clarsach Society and the Royal National Mòd, which will be held on Wednesday 17th October and features music from Mòd Gold Medallists Wilma Kennedy and James Graham, with musicians Màiri and Calum Macleod.

Argyll and Bute council leader, Cllr. Roddy McCuish, said: “Whenever the Mòd is hosted in Argyll and Bute we feel it is coming home, as our history is closely entwined with the Mòd.

“The first ever festival was held in Oban in 1892 and now it is an internationally recognised event and attracts enthusiasts from all over the world.

“Another major benefit of the Mòd is that it provides a major economic and cultural boost to the host area and attracts considerable national and international publicity, helping to raise the profile of the town in which the event is being held.

“The local Mòd committee, Argyll and Bute Council and the local community will be very pleased to welcome visitors to the Mòd in Dunoon 2012.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: “In 2012, the Year of Creative Scotland, we are delighted to once again be supporting the Royal National Mòd, which will celebrate the Gaelic language and Scotland’s rich cultural heritage. Scotland is the perfect stage for events, and Dunoon will undoubtedly provide the ideal backdrop to what is one of the country’s most iconic events.”

The Royal National Mòd is supported by Argyll & Bute Council, Caledonian MacBrayne, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, EventScotland, the national events agency, the Royal Bank of Scotland, SQA, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, BBC ALBA, the Scottish Government and Royal Mail.

For full festival programme and details, visit www.acgmod.org or www.dunoonmod2012.org.uk

Royal National Mòd – Schedule of events 2012

Date  

Event                                                      

Venue*

Friday 12 Oct                       

Opening ceremony 

Queen's Hall

Saturday 13 Oct                    

Mòd Shinty Cup Final

Dunoon stadium

Fiddlers’ Rally      

Queen's Hall

Piping

Kirn Primary School

Sunday 14 Oct                      

Mòd Church Service

St John's Church

Celtic Praise

Queen's Hall

Monday 15 Oct                      

Children Prizewinners’ Concert 

Queen's Hall

Tuesday 16 Oct                     

Children Prizewinners’ Concert

Queen's Hall

Wednesday 17 Oct               

Literature Awards

The Park Hotel

Gold medal Qualifying 

High Kirk

Silver Pendant Final                               

Queen's Hall

Drama Finals                                           

Dunoon Grammar School

Traditional Gold Medal Qualifying                              

High Kirk

Thursday 18 Oct                    

Highland Dancing                                    

Hunter’s Quay Holiday Village

Gold Medal Finals               

Queen’s Hall

Traditional Gold Medal Final

Queen’s Hall

Friday 19 Oct                           

Lovat & Tullibardine                                

Queens Hall

Margrat Duncan                                    

St John's Church

Final concert

Queen's Hall

Saturday 20 Oct        

Mass choir/pipe band parade         

Argyll Gardens

*  may be subject to change

Published: 17th Sep 2012

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Dunoon Ceilidh Dance!

The Mod 2012 local organising committee are hosting a fund raising ceilidh on Friday 28th September at Strachur with Trail West!


A bus will leave from Dunoon at 8.00pm and return afterwards Ticket and Bus - £10.00, ticket only £7.00.

Further information is available at:  www.dunoonmod2012.org  

Published: 17th Sep 2012

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Gaelic Testing

Anyone wishing to take a Gaelic test can do so during Mod week in the Queen’s Hall. In order to book an appointment for a test, you must contact An Comunn beforehand: [email protected] or tel: 01463 709 705.

You can also arrange an appointment during Mod week itself by visiting the Mod information desk in the Queen’s Hall and speaking to An Comunn staff.

Published: 10th Sep 2012

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Changes to C175

The Music Committee have issued changes to the following Mòd 2012 competition pieces.

The changes are explained below and should be adhered to for these pieces. If you have any queries regarding these changes, please don’t hesitate to contact James Graham at [email protected] or telephone 01463 709 705.

Details on changes to any other competitions can be viewed by clicking here.

C175 - Gheibh sinn ribinnean mora, mora

There should be a repeat mark at the end of the last bar in verse 4.

 

Published: 04th Sep 2012

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Important Competitor Information

Delayed Competitors

Competitors delayed with regard to their appearance at another venue must inform the Chief Steward or one of his / her staff in order that all information can be relayed to the competition chairperson at the appropriate venue.

Competitor Guidelines

Competitors are not allowed to consult books, manuscripts or copies of music during competitions with the only exception being instrumental competitions. 

Adjudication Sheets

Adjudication sheets for competitions will be available for collection in the Queen’s Hall on Saturday 13th October and between Monday 15th and Friday 19th October

Important Note: Competitor’s should allow a minimum of 2 hours after end of competition before collection of Adjudication Sheets.

Mod 2012 Information Desk

Mod 2012 Information Desk will be situated in the Queen’s Hall and will be open on Saturday 13th and between Monday 15th and Friday 19th October.

Mod 2013 Prescribed Pieces

Mod 2013 Music will be on sale at the Mod Information Desk in the Queen’s Hall.

Prize winner’s Concerts

First prizewinners may be required to appear at evening concerts.  Those required to appear must report by 19.15 to the organisers.  Announcements regarding the Prize winners’ concerts will be made during competition sessions. 

 

Published: 04th Sep 2012

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Coffee Morning in Dunoon

Published: 03rd Sep 2012

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Choir Practice Rooms

Any choir wishing to book practice rooms in Dunoon please get in touch with Jim Anderson regarding your requirements and preferred times, e-mail: [email protected] or tel. 07799 658 076.

Published: 31st Aug 2012

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Mod 2012 Concert

A Prizewinners’ concert will take place in the Glen Morag hotel in Dunoon on Thursday 18th October, commencing at 7.30pm.

This concert will feature music from west coast ceilidh band ‘Trail West’ and a range of prizewinners and other artists.

Tickets will be on sale for this event at the Queen’s Hall during Mod week.

Published: 31st Aug 2012

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Trophy deadline passed.

Return of Trophies

The deadline for all Mod trophies to be returned to us has PASSED.

Trophies were to be returned engraved and polished by the 31st of August.

There are several hundred trophies in total which we have to check and record.  Therefore if they are returned late, this can create a lot of extra work for staff at a time when the office is already busy!

To avoid disappointment for new prize-winners on the day of competitions, last year's winning competitors were asked that trophies were returned to us on time.  The Rules clearly state that individuals who do not return trophies on time will be fined.  If you have not returned your trophy, we will be contacting you soon with information on fines. 

If you have any questions about returning the trophies, please call us on 01463 709 705.

 

Published: 31st Aug 2012

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Kenny ‘Nostie’ Macleod Memorial Cup

Caithness and Sutherland shinty teams are currently preparing to play each other for the first time since the Mod Cup of 2010 when the Caithness side beat their closest neighbours.

The match is being played in memory of local shinty stalwart the Reverend Kenny 'Nostie' Macleod of Thurso Free Church who died in April of this year. Kenny played a leading role in the development of shinty in the county. In 2006, assisted by his wife Marianna, he established Thurso Junior Shinty Club to promote the game amongst the youngsters of the area. In 2008 he co-founded Naver Athletic, the first senior shinty team in the far north since the Dounreay team of the 1960s. His greatest success in far north shinty came at the fore-mentioned Mod Cup when he captained the Caithness team to victory at Bignold Park in Wick.

The forthcoming match will take place at Viewfirth Park in Thurso on Saturday 29th September 2012 at 3.00pm. The Caithness side will consist of former players from Thurso Junior Shinty Club. Along with them will be players from an earlier era in Caithness shinty, when PE teacher Rachel Mennie developed the sport in schools across the county during the 1990s.

There will be a family connection too - Kenny's daughter Isobel and his niece Katie Booth who plays for Aberdour senior shinty team will be joining the ranks of their male counterparts. The pool will be completed by other enthusiasts from around Caithness.

The Sutherland team will consist of past and present players from the two shinty teams in the county - Kinlochbervie Camanachd and Farr High School (Bettyhill).

 

Entrance at the match is free, but donations will be gratefully received for The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.

Published: 30th Aug 2012

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Gaelic Showcase

The Showcase at the Royal National Mòd represents an excellent opportunity for all the visitors, competitors and others attending the Mòd to find out more about people involved in providing Gaelic language and Gaelic-related products or services, and to see what is on offer from the local area.

Products exhibited regularly at each National Mòd include books, CD's, artworks, photography and crafts. Exhibitors who regularly participate at the Royal National Mòd include Comhairle nan Leabhraichean (Gaelic Books Council), MG Alba, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, SNH, Stòrlann, Comunn na Gàidhlig and the Gaelic Arts Agency (Pròiseact nan Ealan). 

This year, the Showcase will have pride of place in a marquee outside the Queens Hall, right in the centre of Dunoon - in the heart of the activity during the week. We will have lots happening to entice you in - tastings of local food and drink, music and much much more!

Published: 30th Aug 2012

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Inverness 400 Club Results

 

Here are the July winners for the Mod 2014 400 Club.  1st - £250 Mrs J.F. Jones, Nairn2nd - £100 Pam Barnett, Inverness3rd - £50 Calum I MacLeod, Callanish, Isle of Lewis

 

Published: 03rd Aug 2012

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Clarsach Event @ Dunoon Mod

 

A Gaelic Partnership: The Clàrsach at the National Mòd

A special concert will take place during this year’s Royal National Mod, featuring two accomplished Gaelic singers, National Mòd Gold Medallists, Wilma Kennedy and James Graham along with multi-talented harpists Màiri and Calum Macleod. 

This concert will celebrate 120 years of unbroken links between the National Mòd and the clàrsach. Old and new songs from the bilingual foursome will chart a fascinating illustrated account of this journey from the first Mòd in 1892 through to today’s links with local and National Mòds.

A previous performance took place during the Edinburgh International Harp Festival in April and the second event will take place on Wednesday 17th October.  

 

Published: 20th Jul 2012

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Inverness 400 Club Results

 

Here are the numbers and the names of the winners for this month's 400 Club:

1st (£250) - Jane Riddick, Beauly

2nd (£100) - Mrs M Conner, Scone

3rd (£50) - Mr P.W. Harkness, Inverness

 

Congratulations!

 

 

 

Mealaibh ur naidheachd!

 

 

 

Published: 25th Jun 2012

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Amendment to C174

 

 

Competition C174 - Fàgail bràigh bhalla

 Verse 3 should read:  “O bha mi glè òg nuair dh’fhag mi’ n cala...” and NOT “O bha mi glè òg nuair dh’fhag mi Colla...”

 

Published: 29th May 2012

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Closing Date for Mod Entries

 

With entries for Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail 2012 coming in thick and fast, Mod organisers An Comunn Gàidhealach are busy preparing for this year’s event, to be held in Dunoon again for the seventh time.

 

Although many entries have already been received and processed, An Comunn Gàidhealach expect a considerable influx of entries before the closing date of 31st May and are again stressing the importance of (complete) entries being received on time.   http://www.acgmod.org/nationalmod/entryform 

 

Janet MacDonald, Royal National Mod Director reiterated this view saying, “It is very important that entries are received in time, accompanied by the correct fees, so that the work of allocating competitors to competitions and competitions to venues can be completed as soon as possible;  any delay will result in a corresponding delay in the publication of the Mòd Programme, a major source of annoyance.   Please refer to our website for updated information on times and venues for all competitions.”

 

Although the Mod has been held in Dunoon many times before, it is apparent that the area is looking forward to the event returning.

 For any further information regarding Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail or Mòd Dhun Omhain, please visit www.ancomunn.co.uk or www.dunoonmod2012.org

 

 

Published: 23rd May 2012

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Changes to Prescribed Pieces

The Music Committee have issued changes to the following Mòd 2012 competition pieces. The changes are explained below and should be adhered to for these pieces. If you have any queries regarding these changes, please don’t hesitate to contact James Graham at [email protected]or telephone 01463 709 705.

  

C174 - Fàgail bràigh bhalla Verse 3 should read: “O bha mi glè òg nuair dh’fhag mi’ n cala...” and NOT “O bha mi glè òg nuair dh’fhag mi Colla...”

A300 - Cath Gharidheachd

Bar 38 - ‘droch càramh’ - should read 'droch chàramh'

A271 - Gur fad am thàmh mi

Verse 1, bar 4 - ‘àigmhor’ - should read ‘aghmhor’

A307-Tuireadh nan Treun.

Verse 1:

Bar 9: spelling-feasta x 2

Bar 10: spelling-m’ iargain x 2

Bar 11: accent missing-lìonadh x 2

Bar 19: shìnear instead of shineadh x 3

Bar 22: accent missing-sìorraidh x 3

Verse 2:

Bar 31: spelling-chaonnag

Bar 32: sgàth instead of stàth

Bar 33: accent missing-strìochdadh x 3

Bar 33: spelling-strìochdadh ann am B.2

Bar 36/37: luchd-breacan x 3

Bar 40: accent missing-‘N àm x 3

Bar 41: spelling-tarraing x 3

Bar 44: accent wrong-dàil in B.2

Verse 3:

Bar 50/51: seòl-mara x 3

Bar 55: nan craobh instead of an craobh x 3

Bar 63: spelling-fearann x 3

Verse 4:

Bar 65: Thì x 3

Bar 67: thus-a instead of thu-sa

Bar 70: càird-ean x 3

Bar 73: furt-achd

Bar75: mùirn-each x 3

Bar 77: spelling-dhriùchda x 3

Bar 78: aig instead of air

Bar 79: Sùirn-eig x 3

A300 - Cath Ghairidheach:

Bar 28 - Baritone should be as bass line.

(We have PDF and sibelius files of A308, A304 and A301 available, if you wish for these to be emailed to you please get in touch with James).

A308 - Puirt – Seònaid NicGumaraid

Bar 14 – ‘mi gur’ – dotted crotchet/semiquaver replaces semiquaver/dotted crotchet (all parts)

Bar 15 – ‘raoir a’ – dotted crotchet/semiquaver replaces semiquaver/dotted crotchet (tenor part)

A308 - Puirt – Cairistìon’ nigh’n Eòghainn

Bar 68 – ‘Hao-il-o ho-il’ – crotchet /quaver-quaver/crotchet/quaver-quaver replaces crotchet/crotchet/4quavers (all parts)

And similarly in bb. 70,72,74… 85,87,89,91… 101

Bar 79 – ‘ruidhl’’ – quaver-quaver replaces crotchet (sop& tenor)

And similarly in bb. 83, 84… 96, 100

A304, Gheibhinn Cadal Math (soprano part only)

Bar 6 –beat 2 is ‘E’ (‘r’) instead of ‘B’ (‘l’)

Bar 7 –final quaver is ‘F#’ (‘m’) instead of ‘B’ (‘l’)

Bar 8 –first crotchet is ‘E’ (‘r’) instead of ‘D’ (‘d’)

And similarly bb. 38,39,40 – as 6,7,8

And bb. 65,66 – as 7,8

A301, Cumha Coire Cheathaich

Bar 7 – ‘greis am àrach’ (was ‘greis de m’ àrach’)

Bar 31 – 4 quavers/crotchet/2 quavers replaces crotchet/2 quavers/4 quavers (sops & altos only)

Bar 39 –dotted minim-tied quaver ‘Db’ and quaver ‘C’ replace semibreve ‘Db’

Bar 40 –crotchet-quaver instead of first three quavers

Bar 52 – 2 quavers instead of first crotchet (sops, tenors, basses)

Bar 54 – ‘d’ fhuir-ich’ (was ‘d’ fhui-rich’)

Competition SSL254, ‘Gur moch rinn mi dùsgadh’:

Verse 1: line 2: 's a dhìrich mi'm bruthach

line 4: ...a'tùirlinn thar ùr-dhos nan geug

Verse 2: line 2: ....os mo chionn

line 4: is mac-tallanan creagan...

Verse 3: line 4: null thairis à gleannan ...

Competition A305 - Sìoman Donn

Verse 2: Bar 30 - ‘ghàradh’ should be changed to ‘gharadh’ (without an accent on the ‘a’). The crotchet and quaver above the word ‘gharadh’ should now be reversed with the quaver over the first syllable of the word (ghar-adh) and the crotchet over the second syllable (ghar-adh). This applies to all three parts.

A301 - Cumha Coire Cheathaich

Verse 1: Bar 7 should read; …robh mi greis am àrach…”

A250 - An tèid thu leam gu Tìr a' mhurain

Verse 3: Line 2 should read: "còisir èibhinn grinn nan eòin".

A220 - Bha mi' n raoir san taigh-òsta:

Verse 2:- Line 6 should read: "Deud mar chailc gheal gun stòr."

A220 - Bha mi'n raoir san taigh-osta:

Verse2:- Line 8: the word 'sgothan' should become 'sgàthan'.

GSL224 - Mas ann gam mhealladh:

Verse 2:- Line 2 should read: “…an dèidh mar mheall thu mi leis na breugan.”

Published: 23rd May 2012

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Applecross Bardic School

An Comunn Gaidhealach is proud to be supporting the 2012 Applecross Bardic School, which will take place between Monday 2nd and Friday 6th July in Applecross. 

The Course will promote and celebrate the Gaelic Bardic Traditions of Scotland and further afield, through seminars, tutorials and creative writing workshops.  The course will be delivered by our distinguished speakers  in Gaelic with simultaneous translation available for non-Gaelic speakers. 

This year's key speaker will be Lewis Mackinnon, a native of Nova Scotia, who was recently crowned as Bard of An Comunn Gaidhealach at the 2011 Royal National Mod in the Western Isles.

Fringe events will include story-telling, local Gaelic dialect session, guided walks, heritage centre visit, spinning and a ceilidh.

For further information please visit www.sgoilbhardachd.co.uk.

Published: 23rd Apr 2012

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Mod 2012 Entry Forms

 

Please find below entry forms for the Royal National Mod 2012.

If you require any further information please contact Rena MacAskill, Mod Administrator, on 01463 709 705 or email [email protected]

Junior Entry Form 2012.doc

Senior Entry Form 2012.doc

Piping Entry Form 2012.doc

Choir Entry Form 2012.doc

Published: 20th Apr 2012

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Edinburgh Provincial Mod

The Edinburgh Provincial Mod will take place this Saturday (21st April) in Liberton High School, Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh.

We wish all competitors, organisers and volunteers alike our very best wishes and good luck with all competitions this weekend! 

Should you wish to find out more information about this year's Provincial Mod in Edinburgh, please contact Fiona Mackintosh on 0131 476 6611 or email [email protected] or visit their website at www.edinburghlocalmod.co.uk.

Published: 18th Apr 2012

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Changes to A300 & A271

Please note the following amendments:

A300 Cath Ghairidheach

Bar 38 - ‘droch càramh’ - should read 'droch chàramh'

A271 Gur fad am thàmh mi

Verse 1, bar 4 - ‘àigmhor’ - should read ‘aghmhor’

Published: 17th Apr 2012

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Mod 2011 Evaluation

 

Please see below findings from the Mod nan Eilean Siar 2011 Evaluation.  You will see some interesting information in the report and it is clear that it was a very successful Mod. We hope you all enjoyed it if you were there!

Western Isles Mod Evaluation Final.pdf

Published: 11th Apr 2012

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AGM and Conference

The Annual General Meeting of An Comunn Gaidhealach will take place on Saturday 31st March 2012 at 10am in the MacDonald Hotel, Aviemore. 

This will be followed by a Conference at 11am.

All An Comunn Gaidhealach Members are welcome - please bring Membership cards with you. 

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Published: 28th Mar 2012

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Changes to A307

The Music Committee have issued changes to the Mòd 2012 choral competition piece, A307-Tuireadh nan Treun. 

The changes are explained below and should be adhered to for this piece. If you have any queries regarding these changes, please don’t hesitate to contact James Graham on 01463 709 705 or email [email protected]

 

A307-Tuireadh nan Treun.

 

Verse 1:

Bar 9: spelling-feasta x 2

Bar 10: spelling-m’ iargain x 2

Bar 11: accent missing-lìonadh x 2

Bar 19: shìnear instead of shineadh x 3

Bar 22: accent missing-sìorraidh x 3

 

Verse 2:

Bar 31: spelling-chaonnag

Bar 32: sgàth instead of stàth

Bar 33: accent missing-strìochdadh x 3

Bar 33: spelling-strìochdadh ann am B.2

Bar 36/37: luchd-breacan x 3

Bar 40: accent missing-‘N àm x 3

Bar 41: spelling-tarraing x 3

Bar 44: accent wrong-dàil in B.2

 

Verse 3:

Bar 50/51: seòl-mara x 3

Bar 55: nan craobh instead of an craobh x 3

Bar 63: spelling-fearann x 3

 

Verse 4:

Bar 65: Thì x 3

Bar 67: thus-a instead of thu-sa

Bar 70: càird-ean x 3

Bar 73: furt-achd

Bar75: mùirn-each x 3

Bar 77: spelling-dhriùchda x 3

Bar 78: aig instead of air

Bar 79: Sùirn-eig x 3

Published: 27th Mar 2012

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Change to A300

 

Please note the change to competition A300 - Cath Ghairidheach:

Bar 28 - Baritone should be as bass line.

Published: 23rd Mar 2012

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Lochaber Branch AGM

An Comunn Gaidhealach

Lochaber Branch Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 28th March

Fort William RC Primary School

6pm

Anyone with an interest and commitment to keep the Gaelic language and culture thriving in Lochaber is urged to attend the meeting.   

.

Published: 20th Mar 2012

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Change of date for East Kilbride Mod

Please note that the East Kilbride Mod will now take place on the 25th and 26th of May and not in June. 

For further information or details about this year's Provincial Mod, please contact Peigi Darroch on 01355 226 067.

Moran taing!

Published: 16th Mar 2012

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Changes to Choral Pieces

The Music Committee have issued changes to the following Mòd 2012 choral competition pieces. We have PDF and sibelius files of the respective edited pieces available, if you wish for these to be emailed to you please get in touch.

A308-Puirt a beul

A304-Gheibhinn cadal math

A301-Cumha Coire Cheathaich

The changes are explained below and should be adhered to for these pieces. If you have any queries regarding these changes, please don’t hesitate to contact James Graham at [email protected]or telephone 01463 709 705.

Competition A308, Puirt – Seònaid NicGumaraid

Bar 14 – ‘mi gur’ – dotted crotchet/semiquaver replaces semiquaver/dotted crotchet (all parts)

Bar 15 – ‘raoir a’ – dotted crotchet/semiquaver replaces semiquaver/dotted crotchet (tenor part)

Competition A308, Puirt – Cairistìon’ nigh’n Eòghainn

Bar 68 – ‘Hao-il-o ho-il’ – crotchet /quaver-quaver/crotchet/quaver-quaver replaces crotchet/crotchet/4quavers (all parts)

And similarly in bb. 70,72,74… 85,87,89,91… 101

Bar 79 – ‘ruidhl’’ – quaver-quaver replaces crotchet (sop & tenor)

And similarly in bb. 83, 84… 96, 100

Competition A304, Gheibhinn Cadal Math (soprano part only)

Bar 6 –beat 2 is ‘E’ (‘r’) instead of ‘B’ (‘l’)

Bar 7 –final quaver is ‘F#’ (‘m’) instead of ‘B’ (‘l’)

Bar 8 –first crotchet is ‘E’ (‘r’) instead of ‘D’ (‘d’)

And similarly bb. 38,39,40 – as 6,7,8

And bb. 65,66 – as 7,8

Competition A301, Cumha Coire Cheathaich

Bar 7 – ‘greis am àrach’ (was ‘greis de m’ àrach’)

Bar 31 – 4 quavers/crotchet/2 quavers replaces crotchet/2 quavers/4 quavers (sops & altos only)

Bar 39 –dotted minim-tied quaver ‘Db’ and quaver ‘C’ replace semibreve ‘Db’

Bar 40 –crotchet-quaver instead of first three quavers

Bar 52 – 2 quavers instead of first crotchet (sops, tenors, basses)

Bar 54 – ‘d’ fhuir-ich’ (was ‘d’ fhui-rich’)

Published: 15th Mar 2012

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Open Meeting in Fort William

You are invited you to an open meeting of An Comunn Gàidhealach that will be held in the Alexandra hotel in Fort William on Monday 19th March 2012 at 7.00pm.

A warm welcome to anyone who wishes to support An Comunn Gàidhealach in Lochaber. There will be an opportunity to discuss the Lochaber Provincial Mòd, the National Mòd and any other matters related to Gaelic in the area.

For further information, please contact: James Graham, Mod manager, An Comunn Gàidhealach. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 01463 709705. Hope to see you there!

 

Published: 15th Mar 2012

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Stirling Ceilidh Dance

Stirling Provincial Mod Committee is holding a ceilidh/dance in aid of Mod funds on Saturday 24th March at 7.30pm in Logie Kirk Hall, Alloa Road, Causewayhead, Stirling (just below the Wallace Monument). 

Music will be from the Willie McFarlane duo and prices are £6 for adults and £2 for children. There will be soloists, a buffet, a bar and of course a raffle!! 

It would be great to have your support and any donations for the raffle or the buffet would be gratefully received. We are a small committee working hard to keep the Mod a success and we really hope to see as many people as possible on the night.

 

Published: 15th Mar 2012

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Caithness & Sutherland Provincial Mod

  

AN COMUNN GAIDHEALACH - MEUR GHALLAIBH - CAITHNESS BRANCH

 

The Caithness Branch of An Comunn Gaidhealach has started their programme of events to raise funds for the Provincial Mod which will return to Caithness in summer this year.

 

The Provincial Mod is a regional version of the National Mod which took place for the very first time in the history of An Comunn Gaidhealach in October 2010.  The Regional Mod has not been held in Wick since 1999 and only once since in the County of Caithness in Thurso in 2007. 

 

Following on from the success of the National Mod in 2010, the joint area committees of the Provincial Mod agreed last year to have the regional event hosted every two years in Caithness boosting the local economy in each area where it will be hosted - Halkirk, Lybster and Castletown among places expected to host the festival in the future as well as the county towns of Wick and Thurso.

 

The event will take place on the first weekend of June with the main events, competitions and concerts taking place on Saturday 2nd June.  The events will be hosted in a number of venues and a programme will be available well before the event takes place.  The syllabus will be available shortly and requests for a copy should be made to [email protected]

 

Competitions cover a host of disciplines including accordion, piping, fiddle playing, highland dancing, group and solo events.  There will be something for everyone and a series of workshops will be hosted in the near future.  Feis Ghallaibh, which was set up to prepare and allow local young people to participate at the National Mod in 2010 continues to provide the same opportunity and will be represented at this years Provincial Mod.

 

Raymond Bremner, Chairman of the Local Branch Committee said "We are delighted to be hosting the Provincial Mod and it's great that it will be hosted in Wick where the National Mod started in 2010 with a huge outdoor presence on the opening weekend.  We have already had more area choirs showing an interest in attending than at previous Provincial Mods and I believe that is due to the wonderful time they experienced in the county back in 2010.  I am sure the local branch and community will work hard to deliver the same level of friendliness and warmth provided to the county's visitors in 2010."

 

A series of events have been organised in Wick, Halladale, Clyth and Thrumster already to raise the profile of the Provincial Mod, to raise funds and to provide evenings of entertainment in the local communities in the lead-up to the event.

Published: 14th Mar 2012

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Changes to SSL254

Please note the following changes which apply to competition SSL254, ‘Gur moch rinn mi dùsgadh’:

Verse 1: line 2: 's a dhìrich mi'm bruthach

line 4: ...a'tùirlinn thar ùr-dhos nan geug

Verse 2: line 2: ....os mo chionn

line 4: is mac-talla nan creagan...

Verse 3: line 4: null thairis à gleannan ...

  

Please click on the following link to view all amendments for this year's Royal National Mod competitions:

http://www.acgmod.org/nationalmod/moddetail/changes-to-prescribed-pieces

Published: 06th Mar 2012

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Changes to A305

  

  

Please note the folowing amendment to Competition A305.

Competition A305 - Sìoman Donn

Verse 2, Bar 30 - ‘ghàradh’ should be changed to ‘gharadh’ (without an accent on the ‘a’). The crotchet and quaver above the word ‘gharadh’ should now be reversed with the quaver over the first syllable of the word (ghar-adh) and the crotchet over the second syllable (ghar-adh). This applies to all three parts.

Please click on the following link to view all amendments for this year's Royal National Mod competitions:

http://www.acgmod.org/nationalmod/moddetail/changes-to-prescribed-pieces

 

Published: 06th Mar 2012

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Uist Provincial Mod

We are delighted that the Uist Provincial Mod will take place this year on the 1st and 2nd of June in Sgoil an Iochdair, South Uist.

Please click on the following link to view the syllabus for this year's Provincial Mod.

For any further information, please contact Fiona MacAulay at [email protected] or telephone 01870 603 336.

Uist Mod Syllabus 2012.doc

.

Published: 05th Mar 2012

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Ceilidh in Uist this Friday!

A ceilidh will take place on Friday 24th February in St Mary's Hall, Griminish, between 7.30pm and 10.30pm. Local artistes will perform.

This is a fundraiser for this year's Local Mod.

All welcome!

Published: 20th Feb 2012

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Gaelic Choirs Event in Paisley

Come and hear some fantastic Gaelic Choirs in Paisley on Saturday 3rd March.  The choirs including Govan Gaelic Choir, Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association and Cumbernauld Choir will compete to win the Provost Celia Lawson Gaelic Cup. 

This light hearted evening, hosted by Mod Phaislig 2013 and Voices in Paisley Fringe, is part of Weaving Musical Threads, the free programme or arts and cultural events taking place in the town over the weekend. 

The audience will also get the opportunity to vote for the winner of the Weaving Musical Threads / Mod Phaislig 2013 tune competition. 

Entry is free but seats can be reserved by emailing [email protected] or call Ealasaid on 07535514385.

Mod Phaislig 2013 are grateful for the support of ClannGaidhlig in organising this event. 

Published: 20th Feb 2012

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Fluency percentages in Choirs

 

The following percentages have been reviewed and will remain as they were for this year's Royal National Mod:

Junior Choirs - Learners' Choirs should have no more than the agreed percentage of Gaelic Medium pupils, which for 2012 will be 50%.  (This will be reviewed again in 2013)

Senior Choirs - Choirs competing in the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield and the Lorn Shield competitions must consist of at least 35% card holders, of whom one third must be beyond Bronze level.  (This will be reviewed again in 2013)

Senior Choirs - Choirs competing in the Margrat Duncan competition must consist of at least 30% Gaelic speakers i.e. Gold, Silver or Bronze card holders.  (This will be reviewed again in 2013)

(Please note - if the percentage of your choir works out at e.g. 10.4 or below this would be rounded to 10 members, if the percentage is 10.5 or avove then it should be rounded up to 11)

Please ensure you refer to the following updated version of the Rules for all of this year's Royal National Mod competitions:   

Rules of An Comunn Gaidhealach February 2012.doc

Published: 15th Feb 2012

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Mòd 2011 Photos now available in Galleries

The Mòd 2011 Western Isles photos are now available in the Galleries Section under Royal National Mòd.
Also available are the Oban and Caithness Mòds.
So for memories of the Mòds click here to visit this section on the ACG website.

Published: 04th Feb 2012

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Amendment to A301

 

Please note the following amendment to competitions A301:  

A301 - Cumha Coire Cheathaich 

VERSE 1:  Bar 7 should read; …robh mi greis am àrach…”

 

 

Published: 01st Feb 2012

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Amendment to A250

  

  

  

Please note the following amendment to Competition A250:

  

A250 - An tèid thu leam gu Tìr a' mhurain

VERSE 3:  Line 2 should read:  "còisir èibhinn grinn nan eòin".

Published: 01st Feb 2012

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Amendments to A220 & GSL224

 

Please note the amendments to competitions A220 and GSL224:

Comp A220 - Bha mi' n raoir san taigh-òsta:  VERSE 2:-  Line 6 should read:  "Deud mar chailc gheal gun stòr."

Competition A220 - Bha mi'n raoir san taigh-osta:  VERSE 2:-  Line 8:  the word 'sgothan' should become 'sgàthan'.

Competition GSL224 - Mas ann gam mhealladh:  VERSE 2:-  Line 2 should read:  “…an dèidh mar mheall thu mi leis na breugan.”

Published: 24th Jan 2012

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Inverness Jumble Sale!

An Comunn Gaidhealach

- Meur Inbhirnis (Inverness Branch)

Indoor Jumble Sale

-- With Bric-a-brac Stalls, Baking, etc --

Saturday 28th January 2012

11am - 2pm

Raigmore Recreation Hall

Raigmore Hospital

Inverness

You can book a table for £5 to sell for yourself or "come and buy" or "donate your jumble" to the Meur Inbhir Nis table

.

To book a table or for any further advice please contact:

Contact Katy at 01463 231 254 or 07526518961 or email [email protected]

All Welcome!

All proceeds go towards the running of the Inverness Local Mod in June 2012 and the Royal National Mod in 2014.

Published: 24th Jan 2012

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Amended Syllabus / Prescribed Pieces List

 

Please click on the following links to view the amended Syllabus and list of Prescribed Pieces for Mod 2012.

Should you require any further information, or to order any of the prescribed pieces, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

  

Published: 16th Jan 2012

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Compose a tune for Paisley

Mod Phaislig & Voices in Paisley are offering an exciting opportunity to compose the tune 'Paisley welcomes the Royal National Mod 2013' which will celebrate the historic visit of the renowned Gaelic festival to the town in 2013.  As their contribution to Wevint Musical Threads, the arts extravaganza which takes place across Renfrewshire on 3 & 4 March, the Mod Phaislig 2013 team have combined with Voices in Paisley to host this competition, with the winner being unveiled on Saturday 3 March when a number of Gaelic choirs will perform in the town as part of the celebrations.

In order to enter the competition, email or post a manuscript of your composition to the Mod Phaislig team.  Do not put your name on the manuscript as the judging will be anonymous.  It would be useful if entrants could also submit some audio of the tune being played, although this is not essential.  In addition to the manuscript, a covering letter is required with full contact details, as well as any information you feel is necessary.  E-mail entries to [email protected] or post to Mod Phaislig 2013, 12 Ben Nevis Road, Paisley, PA2 7LA by 8 February.  If you have any queries contact Ealasaid MacDonald on 07535514385. 

In addition to having the honour of their tune being the soundtrack to the Mod Phaislig celebrations, the winner will receive a cheque for £150.  Judging the competition to the final two are three stalwards of traditional music, Duncan Nicholson, Pipe Major of Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, Brian Laurie of the Brian Laurie Accordion Music School and Andrew Gifford of the renowned band Fiddler's Bid.  It will be the audience at the Gaelic Choirs event on 3 March that will make the final decision. 

Published: 11th Jan 2012

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Clarsach Society Contact

 

Please see below for updated contact details for Comunn na Clarsaich and details for Clarsach Competitions for Mod 2012.   

Michelle Kelly, Administrator

The Clarsach Society - Comunn na Clàrsaich

Out of the Blue Drill Hall

36 Dalmeny Street

Edinburgh

EH6 8RG

Tel - 0131 554 0212

[email protected]


The Mod 2012 Folio is now available and is priced at £7. Please click on the link below to view the Clarsach syllabus for Mod 2012:

MOD 2012 Clarsach Syllabus.doc 

 

Published: 09th Jan 2012

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Mod Cook Books!

 

Copies of the Mod nan Eilean Siar Cook Book are still available from the An Comunn Gaidhealach office in Stornoway.

They'll make a great Xmas present or stocking filler! 

The Cook Book costs £8.00 and contains over 300 pages covering a wide range of recipes - soups and starters, mains, desserts and home baking! 

To buy your copy, call into the An Comunn shop in Perceval Square, Stornoway.  Alternatively you can telephone 01851 703 487 or email [email protected] and we will post one out to you.  (Please note an additional charge of £2 will be added for post & packing costs). 

 

Published: 13th Dec 2011

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Changes to Gaelic Assessment

 

Following the success of this year's Royal National Mod in the Western Isles (Mod nan Eilean Siar), organisers An Comunn Gaidhealach have announced changes to the Gaelic Assessment scheme, which are now effective for the 2012 event.

The new assessment scheme is similar to the old one but with important differences. There are now sample conversations available online to let competitors see what key structures they should be able to use and the standard of conversation expected for each level. Newly trained assessors will have a check list to ensure the objectivity and fairness of any assessment. Prospective competitors may use any learning method or resources they wish to achieve the fluency required to attain their respective card. An Comunn Gaidhealach recommend that anyone wishing to learn Gaelic in order to gain cards for entry to Mod competitions should visit www.learngaelic.net. For more information please contact 0800 171 2994.

For a full detailed description of the new Gaelic assessment scheme please visit www.acgmod.org/nationalmod/gaelic-assessment or contact An Comunn Gaidhealach on 01463 709 705.

Myles Campbell, who decised the scheme said, "We hope that the sample conversations, which will be easily accessible for everyone on the An Comunn website, will be a help for those applying for Bronze, Silver and Gold cards. It is not expected, of course, that the conversations are followed verbatim at the time of assessment,. Being able to use and respond naturally and approproately to the underlined key structures is the main thing."

Prospective competitors wishing to compete for the Silver Pendant should note that a silver card will now be required to enter this competition. This change will take immediate effect and means competitors who entered the Silver Pendant at the 2011 Mod with a bronze card will now require to attain a silver card in order to take part in this competition from 2012 onwards.

Mod Director Janet MacDonald added, "An Comunn Gaidhealach's main objective in organising the Royal National Mod is the promotion and development of the Gaelic language. With this new assessment scheme it is hoped that we will see competotors making further and continued progress in learning the language in order to gain the cards they need, to compete and take part at the Mod. The nw scheme is less restrictive for competitors but will ensure equality of standards with the rigid marking scheme.

Individual appointments for Gaelic assessment can be mad at anytime throughout the year by contacting An Comun Gaidhealach directly at, 109 Church Street, Inverness, IV1 1EY, tel: 01463 709 705, email: [email protected].

Published: 02nd Dec 2011

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Lost Property @ Mod 2011

 

A number of items were handed in to the An Comunn Gaidhealach office in Stornoway following this year's Royal National Mod.  If you are missing any items, please give us a call, or pop in to see us and we will get your items returned to you!

An Comunn Gaidhealach, Leverhulme House, Perceval Square, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.   Telephone 01851 703 487.

Published: 02nd Nov 2011

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Mull Mod Results!

The Mull Provincial Mod took place on the 9th and 10th of September.  The Mod was a great success and was enjoyed by all!

Please click on the links below to view results:

 ADULT PRIZEWINNERS.doc

JUNIOR DUET, GROUP & CHOIR.doc

JUNIOR INSTRUMENTAL.doc

JUNIOR ORALS.doc

JUNIOR VOCAL.doc

JUNIOR TROPHIES.xls

SENIOR TOPHIES.xls

Published: 28th Oct 2011

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Mòd Results available Online

To view the Mòd results you can either open up Royal National Mòd in the left hand column and select Results from the drop down menu or go to the bottom of the home page and in the Royal National Mòd section, select Results.
A new page will open up with links to the 2011 Mòd results or the most recent Mòds.    Published: 20th Oct 2011

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Photos from Mod 2011 now available

Graham Hood the official Mod photographer now has a collection of Mod 2011 photos available for viewing on his website.

Note: Click on the text below the Mod 2011 photo to see the photographs by day.

To enter Graham's website please click on the link below :
http://grahamhoodphotography.com/?load=flash

Published: 15th Oct 2011

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Mòd Ionadail Barraigh is Bhatarsaigh

 

The first ever Barra & Vatersay Provincial Mòd took place on Friday 30thSeptember and Saturday 1st October in Castlebay school. The venue was ideal and the local committee had worked tirelessly to create a fantastic inaugural event. The committee were delighted with support from the local community and various Gaelic organisations.

Competition in Accordion, Piano, Fiddle, Instrumental and Folk Groups took place on Friday evening. Saturday was the turn of the Piping, Chanter, Oral, Vocal and Choral competitions. Over 300 participated over the two-day event, including 8 Junior choirs, and can only be an indication that this has been long overdue.

Riona Whyte, Provincial Mòd Liaison Officer with An Comunn Gàidhealach, who has visited the island on several occasions to help with organisation, said, ‘it was great to see the hard work of the local committee culminate in a friendly two-day event that worked well for everyone - organisers, competitors, adjudicators, helpers and audiences. It was a privilege to be involved in such a worthwhile and successful event and I look forward to Mòd Ionadail Bharriagh is Bhatarsaigh becoming a permanent fixture on the Provincial Mòd circuit.’

Adjudicators Roddy Campbell, Mary Bishop-Hunt, Anne Kearney, Rona Lightfoot, Paul MacCallum, Janet MacDonald, Katie Anne MacKinnon, Paul MacLean, Anna Wendy Stevenson and Riona Whyte were impressed with the high standards and had a difficult task choosing prize winners. Paul MacCallum commented ‘It is so refreshing to take part in an event that runs so smoothly where everybody works together for the greater good of our music, language and heritage.’

Many competitors had travelled from Uist to participate and this is an excellent indication that the re-established Mòd Iondail Uibhist, scheduled to take place on 2nd June 2012, will be another successful event. Penny Burgess, itinerant Music teacher for the Uists, Benbecula, Eriskay and Barra had done a tremendous amount of work bringing a total of 5 Junior choirs to take part and conducting many of them herself!

The committee were delighted with the level of entries and would like to thank everyone who took part, the army of volunteers who helped throughout the event, the adjudicators for their positive and encouraging remarks, sponsorship and advertising from local businesses and individuals and of course the audiences who came along to support the competitions and ceilidhs.

The venue was buzzing with activity and added to the competitive element there was space for the children and their teachers, tutors and supporters had time to relax in the performance area and canteen. The food was excellent, Gaelic organisations had displays, volunteers provided arts and crafts table to amuse the children between competitions and we even had a visit from Nip the dog from the Gaelic4Parents initiative!

Mòd Iondail Bharraigh is Bhatarsaigh will be added to the already busy Provincial Mòd circuit and dates have already been released for next years event which will take place on Friday 21st and Saturday 22ndSeptember 2012. Further details at www.acgmod.org.

Please visit the Barra & Vatersay Provincial Mod page to view results!   

 

Published: 04th Oct 2011

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Gold Concert Success

The long anticipated month of October, which will see the Royal National Mod being hosted in the Western Isles, got off to a flying start as the local committee hosted a Gold Medal concert on Saturday evening at the Caberfeidh Hotel in Stornoway. The evening brought together a wealth of island talent who won either the Royal National Mod Gold or Traditional Gold Medals. Performing to a packed hall were; Cathie Ann MacLeod, Donald Angie Matheson, Iain MacAulay, Iain MacKay, Jenna Cumming, John Murdo Morrison, John 'Tonkan' MacDonald, Margaret McLeman, Murdo John MacKenzie and a guest performance from An Comunn Gaidhealach’s Mod Manager, James Graham.

A committee member commented:

“The evening could not have gone better and the feedback from the audience was incredibly positive. One lady even commented as she left the hall that ‘she didn’t want the evening to end’! It was a privilege to listen to the performers and it is perhaps an event that we would like to become a regular fixture on our fundraising calendar. We are blessed in the islands to have such a wealth of talent on our own doorstep and I am sure that everyone who attended the event felt that they were part of something very special”.

The concert was recorded by Isles FM and will be broadcasted in the very near future.

Below - the medallists who performed on Saturday evening.

Published: 04th Oct 2011

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Gaelic Showcase at Mod 2011

ROYAL NATIONAL MÒD ANNOUNCES EXCITING LINE UP FOR 2011 GAELIC SHOWCASE

Taking place in the Western Isles for the fifth time in its 120 year history, the 108th Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (The Royal National Mòd), which is Scotland’s premier festival celebrating Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, has today announced its 2011 Gaelic Showcase.

The eight day Mòd celebration of Gaelic music, dance, drama, arts and literature, running from Friday 14 until Saturday 22 October, is set to attract thousands of participants from across the globe and embrace the entire community of the Islands including Lewis, Harris, Benbecula, Barra and the Uists.

The showcase, which is taking place in The Nicolson Institute in Stornoway between 17 – 21 October, is a fantastic opportunity for visitors and competitors attending the Mòd to discover more about Gaelic language and Gaelic-related products and services.

Products on show include local produce, books, CD's, artworks, photography and crafts - exhibitors who regularly participate at the Royal National Mòd include Comhairle nan Leabhraichean (Gaelic Books Council), MG Alba, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, SNH, Stòrlann, Comunn na Gàidhlig and the Gaelic Arts Agency (Pròiseact nan Ealan).

 

Local organisations taking part in the 2011 showcase include Caledonian MacBrayne, Acair Books and Hebridean Chocolate who will have their handmade truffles, chocolate bars and lots of other things to tempt visitors. There will be hand made Harris Tweed items, such as brooches, shoe clips, shoe bags, hats and cushions, and the West Highland Free Press is launching a book ‘Mòd Memories’ which will contain a limited collection of archived photographs and memories taken at the Mòd through the years.  This latest book by the Free Press is packed full of photographs and reminiscences spanning 40 years of Mòd coverage from the Isle of Skye based newspaper.  

There will also be additional events on showcasing the strong local food & drink offerings during lunchtimes, such as whisky tasting courtesy of Abhainn Dearg Distillery, local chocolate demonstrations & tasting and black pudding tasting – Tuesday 18th & Thursday 20th October.

Cape Breton University Press is making is making its third visit to the Mòd from Nova Scotia, Canada, to appear in the showcase. Cape Breton, which specialises in books on Gaelic culture and history, will be bringing a range of books which have been specially selected for interest to Mòd participants and visitors.

John Morrison, chief executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach said:  “We’re very excited about the Mòd showcase this year – there is a fantastic and ever expanding line up and as ever it will provide visitors and competitors alike with a true taste of what’s on offer from the local area.

“The launch of the Mòd Memories book is also very significant as it will bring together thousands of memories and photographs of the event through the years and in the various locations, and will be a delight for those looking for an insight into the history of the Mòd”.

The festival kicks off on Friday 14th October with a grand opening ceremony taking place in the early evening followed by a traditional energetic ceilidh at night to get visitors in the mood for the week long competitive festival. Competitions begin on Monday 17th October, kicking off a week filled with Gaelic music, song, dance, drama, sport and literature.  Children’s competitions take place at the start of the week and nearly 1,700 children from across the country taking part. The Traditional and Gold Medal qualifying rounds take place on Wednesday 19 October with the finals on Thursday 20 October.

The 2011 Royal Mòd Gaelic Showcase: The Nicholson Institute Springfield Road, Stornoway, HS1 2PZ  (beside the ticket sales desk, just behind Lewis Sports Centre).

For more information please contact Alison Henderson on 07552 167801 or email [email protected]

For further details visit www.acgmòd.org

Published: 03rd Oct 2011

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Running for Mod 2011!

 

Following on from an event first started at Mòd nan Eilean Siar 2005 a group of runners from Stornoway Athletics and Running Club (SRAC) will participate in a special relay event which will take them from the venue of last year’s Royal National Mod in Caithness to Stornoway, the host town of Mòd nan Eilean Siar 2011. The runners will be raising money en route for the charity Enable. On completion of two day’s running the runners will disembark from the Caledonian MacBrayne evening ferry on Friday 14th October 2011. The final leg of the relay from the ferry to An Lanntair Arts Centre will be run by the full contingent of fourteen runners to attend the official opening of the Royal National Mod.

The route will take runners from Wick, travelling through Brora, Helmsdale, Dornoch, Lairg and onto Ullapool covering a total of approximately 150 miles. The intrepid runners will set off from Caithness early on the morning of Thursday (13th) October and will deliver a message of goodwill from the Convenor of the Caithness Mod 2010, Raymond Bremner. Alex Macdonald, Convenor of both the 2011 local organising committee and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, will accept the message of goodwill from the runners on the evening of the 14th.

Taking part in the relay event is Tony Robson, Convenor of Transportation on the local committee and Chairman of SRAC. Tony commented:

“Following the success of the 2005 relay event which took us from Perth to Stornoway, the SRAC were keen to add our support to Mòd nan Eilean Siar in a different way. In 2005 we were joined at different locations by Ruairidh and Calum MacDonald of Runrig, who themselves are keen runners. We also found the time to stop off at Ross County and the Dalwhinnie Distillery. It’s an excellent opportunity to promote the event, raise money for a worthwhile charity and we really enjoy doing it!”

Ross Munro, Lead Coach of SRAC added:

“We have had some considerable interest in this event and we will be joined along the route by different running clubs including Highland Hill Runners, Caithness AAC and East Sutherland RC. SRAC’s Austrian member, Gerald Kalchauer, will also be taking part having decided to stay on following the Loch Ness Marathon. We also have our long time running friend’s the Calbost Harriers who’ve also “roped-in” an Australian running friend to take part in the two day relay! Now all we can hope for is good weather and lots of donations for this worthwhile charity. Whilst raising the profile of Mòd 2011 we will be running for Enable and as there are four distilleries en-route we will run by Old Pultney, Clynelish, Glenmorangie and Balblair distilleries to pick up donations for auction for Enable”.

For more information and photographs from the 2005 relay event please visit the SRAC’s website at http://www.srac.org.uk/2005modrelay1.htm. And for further information on the 2011 event contact Ross Munro: 07810681803 or 01851 822670

Published: 03rd Oct 2011

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Barra Mod Success!

  

  

The first Provincial Mod since the 1930's took place in Barra at the weekend and what a success it was!  Photographed below are some of the prize-winners.  Stay tuned for the results.  Congratulations to all the winners!

Published: 03rd Oct 2011

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Barra Mod Starts Today!

 

The first Barra & Vatersay Provincial Mòd since the 1930's starts in Barra today! The event will take place over the next two days. 

The organisers and competitors have been working hard over the last number of months preparing for the Mod.  Riona Whyte, Provincial Mod Liaison Officer for An Comunn Gaidhealach has been working closely with the local organising committee, to bring the programme together.     

We wish all the competitors taking part over the next two days and all the organisers and volunteers the best of luck and look forward to seeing the results!

For further details you should contact Jane MacNeil on [email protected].

Published: 30th Sep 2011

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Gold Concert this Saturday!

 

Òr is Òrain Gold Concert

featuring

Gold Medallists resident in the Western Isles

THIS SATURDAY!

Saturday 1 October

Caberfeidh Hotel

... 7.30pm

John Murdo Morrison – 1965

Iain MacKay – 1972

Murdo John Mackenzie – 1979/89

Cathie Ann Macleod – 1979

John ‘Tonkan’ Macdonald – 1990

Donald A Matheson – 1994

Iain Macaulay – 1998

Jenna Cumming – 2002/03

Norman Smith – 2003

Margaret McLeman – 2010

Music by Graham Maclennan and Andrew Yearley

Fear an Taighe – John A Maciver

Tickets £10

Available from An Comunn Gàidhealach Office

Tel : 01851 703 487

Published: 27th Sep 2011

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Buy Mod 2011 Merchandise Now!

 

Looking for the ideal gift for that someone who has everything? Well the Mòd nan Eilean Siar 2011 local committee have just the solution! As part of fundraising efforts a bumper recipe book has been produced which contains over three hundred recipes to tantalise your taste buds! The book will be a welcome addition to any kitchen so why not purchase a few, for the bargain price of £8, for friends, relatives, neighbours or even work colleagues!

A limited edition Mòd nan Eilean Siar apron has also been produced and is also available for the princely sum of £5 or why not purchase the set, cookbook and apron, for just £12! If you are interested, call into An Comunn Gàidhealach in Perceval Square in
Stornoway, or give them a call on 01851 70 3487 to place your order.

The committee are also delighted to announce that our official Mod merchandise has arrived and is now available to purchase. The hoodies and zoodies (hoodies with zips!), which feature a stunning new Mod logo, are available in a range of colours and sizes. They are guaranteed to be a massive hit with young and old alike and members of the public are being encouraged to place their order now to avoid disappointment. Adult hoodies and zoodies are retailing at £20 and the children’s hoodies are £12.

There is also an opportunity to purchase the official 2011 Mod mugs and small and large bags (Baga Beag & Baga Mòr!) which incorporate the Mod logo.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the above items get in touch with the Committee via the Mod nan Eilean Siar Facebook group page, pop into An Comunn Gàidhealach or contact a committee member. The An Comunn Office will be open on both Saturday the 1st and Saturday the 8th of October to allow people to purchase merchandise and tickets for the main competitions.

Noah from Lochs models the green and blue children's hoodies (click to enlarge).

Published: 27th Sep 2011

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Volunteer for Ladies Committee?

  

 

The Ladies Sub-committee of the Mòd nan Eilean Siar 2011 local organising committee are currently seeking willing volunteers who would be available during Mod week to assist with the preparation and serving of teas, coffees and baking at the various Mod venues. Convenor of the Ladies Sub Committee, Moira MacLean, explained:

“We would be delighted to hear from any willing volunteers. There are many aspects to the running of a smooth and successful Mod and this is a crucial role which adds to what makes Mod’s in the Western Isles so special and hospitable. If you are available for just a few hours, a morning or afternoon or an entire day, your help would be greatly appreciated”.

If you are available to assist please contact Moira MacLean on 07769812361 by email on [email protected]. Alternatively call in to An Comunn Gaidhealach’s office in Perceval Square in Stornoway.

Published: 27th Sep 2011

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Mod 5k Success

 

 

MOD 2011 5K EVENT HAILED A SUCCESS!

The 2011 Mòd nan Eilean Siar 5k event has been hailed a tremendous success by organisers Marina MacLeod and Evelyn Coull. Despite the huge downpour that began half an hour before the race started and which continued for the first mile or so of the course over 120 people took part in the race.

The first male home, in an incredible time of 16 minutes and 27 seconds, was Iain MacCorquodale, who hails from North Uist and is a member of the North Uist Amateur Athletics Club. Due to an injury sustained round the course Iain was unable to receive his trophy from Convenor of the local organising committee, Alex MacDonald, as he was at the time being attended to at the Accident & Emergency Department of Ospadal nan Eilean where three stitiches were placed in his knee!

The first female to cross the finish line was a member of a Stornoway Running and Athletics Club, Stornoway girl, Rebecca Munro with a time of 22 minutes and 40 seconds. Rebecca was delighted to receive the splendid trophy, which incorporates the Mod 2011 logo, from Alex MacDonald and commented that ‘it was by far by nicest trophy I have ever won!’

The event was attended by young and old and clearly the damp weather conditions had no impact on the fantastic atmosphere. With less than three weeks until the start of Mòd nan Eilean Siar 2011, which runs from the 14th to the 22nd of October 2011, this was an excellent way of promoting the event to a new audience.

 

Below: First Male crosses the finish line, Iain MacCorquodale of North Uist; First Female, Rebecca Munro receives her trophy from Alex MacDonald, Convenor of the Local Organising Committee

         

Published: 26th Sep 2011

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108th ROYAL NATIONAL MÒD RETURNS TO WESTERN ISLES

 

 

Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (The Royal National Mòd), Scotland’s premier festival celebrating Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, will this year travel to the Western Isles for the fifth time in its 120 year history, last visiting the Islands in 2005.

The eight day celebration of Gaelic music, dance, drama, arts and literature, running from Friday 14th until Saturday 22th October, is set to attract thousands of participants and embrace the entire community of the Islands including Lewis, Harris, Benbecula, Barra and the Uists.  

 

Organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, the world’s oldest and most respected Gaelic organisation, The Royal National Mòd is a competition based festival which attracts competitors from Gaelic communities throughout the UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Canada and the USA and is considered the biggest event of the Gaelic calendar.   

 

John Morrison, chief executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach said: “We are delighted to be taking The Mòd back to the Western Isles this year; an area which has a strong history of delivering a fantastic event for participants and spectators alike. The local organising committee has worked tirelessly to ensure this year’s event is a great success and has a spectacular array of fringe activities; I’d urge people to some along and see what the Mòd has to offer.   

 

“We have already had a fantastic response from people of all ages signing up to take part in the competitions this year and have had entries from as far a field as Canada, United Arab Emirates, California and Virginia.”  The Royal National Mòd offers a huge range of opportunities for people to compete, from fluent Gaelic speakers to those in the fledging stages of learning the language.

 

 The fringe activities offer an annual opportunity for Gaels and non-Gaels to gather and renew old friendships as well as forging new ones. Activity for this year includes ceilidhs, open stage music evenings, road dances each evening, historical exhibitions, ‘come and try’ musical workshops, and the annual Angus Macleod memorial lecture.   The festival kicks off on Friday 14th October with a grand opening ceremony taking place in the early evening followed by a traditional energetic ceilidh at night to get visitors in the mood for the week long competitive festival.

          

Competitions begin on Monday 17th October, kicking off a week filled with Gaelic music, song, dance, drama, sport and literature.  

 

Children’s competitions take place at the start of the week and nearly 1,700 children from across the country taking part. The Traditional and Gold Medal qualifying rounds take place on Wednesday 19 October with the finals on Thursday 20 October.   

 

The coveted Lovatt & Tullibardine and Margrat Duncan titles will be awarded on Friday 21 October before the final concert takes place. The grand finale of the 2011 Royal National Mòd will take place on Saturday 22 October when the Massed Choirs will gather and parade in Ceàrnag Phearsabhail (Perceval Square), led by local Pipebands.   

 

2010 saw the Mòd come to Caithness for the first time; the successful event saw HRH The Duke of Rothesay visit and present the two winners of the Mod Gold Medal competition, Joy Dunlop and Iain MacLean, with their prizes.  Over 2,000 competitors took part in the 2010 Royal National Mòd and with thousands of visitors travelling to Caithness during the event.

Alex MacDonald, Convener, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Local Organising Committee Mòd nan Eilean Siar 2011, said: “As Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and of the local organising committee of Mod nan Eilean Siar 2011, I am delighted to have the opportunity of welcoming the Mod back to the Western Isles for the 5th time in its history.  There is no more appropriate setting for this week-long celebration of Gaelic language and culture than the Gaelic heartland of the Western Isles.   

 

 

“Gaelic is embedded in the very fabric of these islands, with a population that celebrates the language in all aspects of daily life: in the home, workplace and in the community.   Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is proud to support the Gaelic language and will do everything in its power to retain and promote its rightful place at the heart of Scotland’s rich cultural heritage.”  

 

 

Phil Preston, Managing Director of Caledonian MacBrayne, (CalMac) said:”The Royal National Mód is one of the highlights of CalMac’s year, and we are particularly excited to be coming to Stornoway which is such an important part of our network. It is a fantastic opportunity to meet and engage with people from across our area, and look forward to welcoming them to our vintage MacBrayne’s bus, which was such a hit in Thurso last year.”   

 

 

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer of EventScotland, the national events agency, said: “EventScotland is delighted to be supporting the Royal National Mod again this year. With its celebration of Gaelic music and culture the Mod appeals to many people across the world, helping to promote Scotland and the country’s unique heritage.”  

 

 

 

The Royal National Mòd is supported by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council), Caledonian MacBrayne, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, EventScotland, the national events agency, the Royal Bank of Scotland, SQA, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, BBC ALBA, the Scottish Government and Royal Mail.  


Royal National Mod – Schedule of events 2011

Date  

Event                                                       Venue*
Friday 14 Oct                        Opening ceremony  An Lanntair
Saturday 15 Oct                     Mod Shinty Cup Final Lionacleit
Fiddlers’ Rally      Ionad Spòrs Leòdhais Sports Centre
Sunday 16 Oct                       Mod Church Service Talla Bhaile Steòrnabhaigh Stornoway Town Hall  
Celtic Praise

Martin's Memorial Church

 

Monday 17 Oct                       Children Prizewinners’ Concert  Ionad Spòrs LeòdhaisSports Centre
Tuesday 18 Oct                      Children Prizewinners’ Concert Ionad Spòrs LeòdhaisSports Centre
Wednesday 19 Oct                Literature Awards Seòmar na ComhairleCouncil Chamber
Gold medal Qualifying A220 / A221      Assembly Hall, Nicolson Institute 
Gold medal Qualifying A222 / A223      Eaglais Naomh Chaluim ChilleSt Columbus Church
Silver Pendant Final                                Ionad Spòrs Leòdhais
Drama Finals                                            An Lanntair
Traditional Qualifying                               Talla Sgoil MhicNeacailAssemble Hall
Thursday 20 Oct                     Highland Dancing                                     Bàgh a’ ChaisteilCastleby (Barra)
Gold Medal Finals               Ionad Spòrs LeòdhaisSports Centre
Traditional Final Ionad Spòrs LeòdhaisSports Centre
Convener’s Traditional Ceilidh               An Lanntair
Friday 21 Oct                            Lovat & Tullibardine                                 Ionad Spòrs LeòdhaisSports Centre
Margrat Duncan                                     Talla Bhaile SteòrnabhaighStornoway Town Hall  
Final concert Ionad Spòrs Leòdhais
Saturday 22 Oct         Mass choir/pipe band parade          Ceàrnag PhearsabhailPerceval Square
  *  may be subject to change.  Check website to confirm.

 

Published: 15th Sep 2011

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Uist Ceilidh Dance

 

 

MÒD 2011 CEILIDH DANCE

  

FRIDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER

  

CARINISH HALL

  

8pm

  

Iain MacAulay

 

Mischa MacPherson

 

Neillie Ferguson

 

Seumas Campbell

 

Peigi Campbell

 

Patrick Hughes

 

Padraig Morrison

 

Mairi MacInnes

 

Colaiste Bheinn a' Bhaoghla students

 

Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band

 

Uist Pipe Band

  

Dance with the

 

Iain Angus Macleod Band

   

Licensed Bar

 

Raffle

 

Entry £7 / £5

  

 

Published: 15th Sep 2011

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1925 Gold Medal for Sale

An opportunity has arisen to purchase a prestigious Mod Gold Medal that was won by Donalda Robertson at the Greenock Mod in 1925.

 

The medal is offered for sale--- it's a 9ct gold medal weighing approximately 30gm.

 

The money raised will be used towards the expenses of a junior choir going to the MOD 2011.

Please refer offers to Una MacLeod: 

[email protected]

 

Published: 02nd Sep 2011

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Mod 2011 5k Run / Walk!

With the start of Mòd nan Eilean Siar just under six weeks away the local organising committee are encouraging the public to get fit, perhaps even reduce a kilt size, in the run up to the 14th of October! In September 2010 a successful 5k event was hosted by the committee and Saturday the 24th of September 2011 has been chosen as the date of this years event.

The 5k, which will take place in Lews Castle Grounds, Stornoway, is the ideal fitness solution in the weeks running up to the Mod and even if you are a total novice you have just under eight weeks to get those trainers on and pound those pavements.  An easy to follow training programme is available at www.jogscotland.org.uk.  However, there is absolutely no pressure to run the 5k and participants can walk, at their own pace, round the 3.2 mile course.

A fee of £10 will be charged for taking part in the event although those under the age of 16 can participate for free.

Committee members Evelyn Coull and Marina MacLeod, who are organising the Mod 5k commented:"The 2010 5k was excellent and we hope to have even more participants at this year’s event, particularly since the Mod will only be a mere three weeks away from then!  Getting fit and setting a personal challenge can be great fun, especially if you team up with a friend for training.  It would also be great to see the island choirs well represented and to see their competitive spirit emerge round the five kilometre course!  The fantastic thing about an event like this is that people can take it at their own pace and last year it was particularly encouraging to see so many people, both young and old, take part.   This is also an excellent way to showcase the premier festival of Gaelic language and culture to an entirely different audience".

Following the 5k on  the evening of the Saturday the 24th of September, popular local rockers Blitzer will be performing at the Sea Angling Club and again all money raised on the evening will go towards Mòd nan Eilean Siar 2011.  This gives those who have donned their trainers in the morning the chance to get their glad rags on and enjoy a well deserved night out after all their training endeavours!

For more information or to register your interest contact Evelyn Coull on [email protected] or Marina MacLeod on [email protected], telephone 01851 703 487Alternatively forms can be picked up from the An Comunn office in Perceval Square of from Ionad Spòrs Leòdhais.

   

Published: 15th Aug 2011

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Senior Piping Competitions

 

With preparations for the Western Isles Mod 2011 well underway, An Comunn Gàidhealach would like to remind any potential senior piping competitors that the entry deadline for Mod 2011 senior piping competitions is 26th August 2011.  Any late or incomplete entries submitted after this date will not be accepted.

 

This year’s junior and senior piping will take place at Sgoil Lionacleit in Benbecula on Saturday  15th October 2011. Uist has a proud piping history so it is fitting that the Mod 2011 senior piping competitions return there. Competitions and events will be held throughout the islands at this year’s Mod with the Highland Dancing competitions taking place in Castlebay Community School, Barra.

 

Respected Uist piping teacher Dòmhnall Bàn MacDonald stated, “We very much look forward to hosting the Mod piping competitions at this year’s Mod. There is a wealth of talented young pipers throughout the islands and it will be great for them  to hear some of the top senior players competing at the Mod, we look forward to welcoming them.”

 

As well as the usual trophies and  prize money that will be up for grabs, this year’s overall winner of the senior Mod piping competitions will be awarded automatic entry to the invitational Glasgow Uist & Barra competition which takes place on Saturday 10th March 2012.

 

This is the fifth time that the Mod will have been held in the Western Isles, previously taking place in 1979, 1989, 2001 and 2005. It’s clear that the island community are looking forward to hosting it again. Convener of the Local Organising Committee, Alex MacDonald said, “We wish that the 2011 Mod will be every bit as successful as previous Mods held in the Western Isles. We are hopeful that it will be a fantastic Mod in 2011 and that visitors will enjoy their  trip to the Western Isles. Indeed, there will be a warm highland welcome waiting for all visitors and competitiors.”

 

 

 

The Royal National Mod takes place in the Western Isles between 14th and 22nd October 2011.

 

For any further information or details of how to enter, please contact Jim MacLean on 01505 612 134/07833 742 024 or by e-mail: [email protected]. An entry form can also be downloaded and submitted from www.acgmod.org

 

For any further information regarding Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail or Mòd nan Eilean Siar, please visit www.acgmod.org or www.modnaneileansiar.com

 

 

 

Published: 10th Aug 2011

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Mòd 2011 (400 Club)

!Congratulations to Aileen Macdonald, of Steinish (#3) on winning the £250 prize in the July draw. The second prize of £100 was won by EJ & CW Gordon of Broughty Ferry (#172) and the third prize of £50 was won by Kristeen Maclean, of Shawbost (#108).

Published: 06th Aug 2011

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Ceilidh in Stornoway

Mòd nan Eilean Siar 2011

  

Ceilidh Dance

  

Saturday 23rd July

  

Caladh Inn, Stornoway

  

7.30pm

  

Catriona Watt

 

Kenneth Nicolson

 

Murdo Dan & Friends

 

Donald A Matheson

 

Ceitlin Russel Smith

 

Neillie Ferguson

  

Dance with Shocky & Willie

  

Bar  

Raffle

 £7 / £5 Entry at door

 

 

Published: 20th Jul 2011

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Highland Dancing Competitions

 

The deadline for entry to this year’s Royal National Mod Highland Dancing competitions is Saturday 15th of October 2011.

The Highland Dancing competitions will take place on Thursday 20th October in Castlebay School.

Should you require any further information please click on the link below: 

www.toeandheel.com

Entry forms are available here:

http://www.toeandheel.com/enter_online/2011_MOD.php

  Published: 20th Jul 2011

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Future Mod Dates

 

Below are the confirmed dates for the following Royal National Mods:  

2011    Western Isles    14 – 22 October 

2012    Dunoon             12 – 20 October 

2013    Paisley               11 – 19 October 

2014    Inverness           10 – 18 October

 

Should you require any further information please contact 01463 231 226

  Published: 13th Jul 2011

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Own Choice Deadline

Remember all own choice pieces must be submitted by 30th June (this Thursday!) 

Receipt of Own Choice music will be acknowledged by e-mail or post; you should contact the Inverness Office if you do not receive an acknowledgement. 

Please note it may take some time to issue all receipts due to the volume of pieces submitted at the one time.

Should you have any queries about your own choice submissions please don’t hesitate to get in touch!   

 

Published: 28th Jun 2011

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Gaelic Assessment

 

Any competitors wishing to have a Gaelic Assessment before the Mod should contact us on 01463 709 705.  If there is sufficient demand we will arrange a suitable date / location for assessments to be held.

  Published: 15th Jun 2011

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Piping Compeitions

 

  

  

Mòd nan Eilean Siar  14th–22nd October 2011

 

The piping competitions will take place in Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula on Saturday 15th October 2011.

 

The entry deadline for Mod 2011 Senior piping competitions is 26th August.  Entry to all other competitions is now closed.

You can download an entry form below, alternatively you can contact the Mod office.

Senior Piping Entry Form 2011.doc

 

 

For further information please contact Rena Macaskill, Mod Administrator, An Comunn Gàidhealach, 109 Church Street, Inverness, IV1 1EY or call 01463 231 226.  [email protected]

 

Published: 15th Jun 2011

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Inverness Ceilidh Dance!

 

 

An Comunn Gàidhealach

Meur Inbhir Nis

MOD Ceilidh/Dance

With   The Monach Isle Dance Band

and Inverness Provincial 2011 MOD Winners

In the  Waterside Hotel

Inverness

Saturday 18th June 2011

7.30pm – 12pm  

Admission:  £8  

All proceeds go towards the running of the Inverness Local Mod in June 2011  

Published: 14th Jun 2011

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Aberfeldy Mod Results / Photos

 

The Aberfeldy Provincial Mod took place on the 10th and 11th June and was a great success.  Entry numbers were impressive and the event was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

 

 

Results and photos can be viewed on the Aberfeldy Mod section of this website by clicking here. 

 

Published: 13th Jun 2011

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Mod Entries Closed

 

Please note that entry to this year’s Royal National Mod is now closed.  Should you have any queries regarding the entry deadline please contact us on 01463 709 705. 

Mòran taing

Published: 10th Jun 2011

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Closing Date for Entries

 

With entries for Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail 2011 coming in thick and fast, Mod organisers An Comunn Gàidhealach are busy preparing for this year’s event, to be held in the Western Isles.

Although many entries have already been received and processed, An Comunn Gàidhealach expect a considerable influx of entries before the closing date of 31st May and are again stressing the importance of complete entries being received on time.

Janet MacDonald, Royal National Mod Director reiterated this view saying, “I must remind potential competitors that any late or incomplete entries received after that date will not be accepted. I would also like to remind competitors that all own choice music pieces have to be submitted by 30th June.”

This is the fifth time that the Mod will have been held in the Western Isles, previously taking place in 1979, 1989, 2001 and 2005. It’s clear that the island community are looking forward to hosting it again. Convener of the Local Organising Committee, Alex MacDonald said, “We wish that the 2011 Mod will be every bit as successful as previous Mods held in the Western Isles. We are hopeful that it will be a fantastic Mod in 2011 and that visitors will enjoy their  trip to theWestern Isles. Indeed, there will be a warm highland welcome waiting for all visitors and competitiors.”

Competitions and events will be held throughout the islands at this year’s Mod with the junior and senior piping competitions taking place in Benbecula and the Highland Dancing competitions taking place in Barra.

An Comunn Gàidhealach’s President, John MacLeod stated, “It’s extremely appropriate that the Mod returns to the Western Isles as they are at the very heart of our language and culture. The Gaelic language is still the language of the community in the Islands and there isn’t a better place to showcase Scotland’s main Gaelic festival.”

The Royal National Mod takes place in the Western Isles between 14th and 22nd October 2011.

For any further information regarding Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail or Mòd nan Eilean Siar, please visit www.acgmod.org or www.modnaneileansiar.com

 

Published: 25th May 2011

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A305 Change

Please note the amendment below.  If you have missed any of the other amendments which have been made to Mod 2011 pieces then you can view them here.

Comp A305

Soraidh leis an àit’

Page 6, bar 63-For Soprano 2 and Alto, the words should read, ‘Choltaich mi ri Gàidhlig’. 

 

Published: 19th May 2011

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Fèis nan Còisir Event

 

 

  

A ceilidh and dance to raise funds for the upcoming Royal National Mod will be held on Saturday the 21st of May 2011 at An Caladh Inn in Stornoway.  The evening, which is being organised by the Fèis nan Còisir committee, will begin at 7pm and will replace the annual Fèis nan Còisir event which is historically held around this time of year.

    

Entertainment will be provided by the winners of the Traditional Gold Medal at the 2010 Caithness Mod, Eoghàinn MacLeod and Margaret McLeman, who are also both members of Còisir Sgìr’ a’ Bhac.  There will also be the opportunity to hear the four adult choirs who are based in Lewis as they begin in earnest to make preparations for the upcoming Mod.  To get your toes a tapping on the evening music will be provided courtesy of the folk group winners from Mòd Ionadail Leòdhais 2011 which took place in March 2011.  The talented folk groups who will be performing are Stornoway Primary, Lionel School and the Nicolson Institute.  And if that wasn’t enough entertainment for one evening, the ever popular Iain Angus MacLeod and his band will be providing the dance music!  Compering the evening will be Donald Martin.

  

If you are based in Stornoway, tickets for the ceilidh dance are available from Events and they cost £5 or alternatively payment can be made at the door on the evening.  For more information contact Amy MacAulay, from the Fèis nan Còisir committee, on [email protected].

  

 

Published: 11th May 2011

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Ciorstaidh Scoops Top Pan Celtic Prize

 

 

 

Ciorstaidh Peutan from Kilmuir, Skye won the Open Clarsach competition at the International Pan Celtic Festival in Dingle.

Ciorstaidh who currently studies at the City of Edinburgh Music School, will be going to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in September.

The festival, now in its 40th year has seen competitors and visitors from around the world gather in Dingle and Ciorstaidh came out on top against two local competitors. Ciorstaidh has been attending the festival as a representative of the Clarsach Society and has been attending the Pan Celtic for the first time. Ciorstaidh has previously been a winner at the Royal National Mod.  

Speaking after winning the competition Coirstaidh (18) said “ I am really happy to have won the competition. It was a tough competition but I am delighted. It’s been a great festival and it’s nice for Scotland to have had success".

  Published: 10th May 2011

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Uist Night in Inverness!

An Comunn Gàidhealach - meur Inbhirnis

  Uist Accordion & Fiddle Club

 

  

Uist Dancing Club

 

  

Uist Singers and pipers

 

  

With  Fear an Tighe ……. Ruaridh Nicolson

  

Saturday 4th June 2011

 

 

  

7.30pm  Green Drive Hall, Inverness

  

Finger Buffet … Tea/Coffee/…..Raffle Prizes

  

Admission:  £8   ……….  Bring Your own Bottle

  

Ticket bookings available from:    Mobile Nos.  07869368205 / 07891814925 / 07777632585

  

“All proceeds go towards the running of the Inverness Local Mod in June 2011”

 

 

 

Published: 06th May 2011

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Barn Dance in Inverness!

 

 

An Comunn Gàidhealach 

Meur Inbhir Nis

   

Barn Dance!

   

Music by

   

The Fiona Dalgetty Band

  

Saturday 14th May 2011

  

7.30pm

  

Bogbain Farm, Inverness

   

Licensed Bar ……………Raffle Prizes

   

Barbeque facilities are available

   

Admission:  £8 ……………. Tickets at the door

 

 

 

Contact details:    Mobile Nos.  07891814925

07777632585

   

“All proceeds go towards the running of the Inverness Local Mod in June 2011”

  Published: 06th May 2011

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Calling All Cooks!

 

As a fundraiser for Mòd nan Eilean Siar 2011, the Ladies Committee are planning on
putting together a Mòd Cookbook.  As a result, we'd appreciate any recipes that
are favourites - home baking perhaps being a Mòd speciality?!


All recipes gratefully received; starters, mains, puddings as well as baking.


Recipes can be e-mailed to Moira Maclean or Christine Morrison at the following e-mail addresses:


Moira - [email protected]

Christine - [email protected]  

 

Published: 03rd May 2011

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New Kennedy Competition

 

Prestigious Mòd competition to commemorate Kennedy Gold Medallists

   

An Comunn Gàidhealach are pleased to announce the addition of a prestigious new competition at this year’s Royal National Mòd in the Western Isles. The competition is confined to both male and female former winners of An Comunn Gàidhealach’s Gold Medal. Entrants will be expected to perform one song of their own choice.

   

The competition winner will be awarded a new trophy being presented in memory of the late Calum Kennedy and his wife Anne Gillies, both of whom won the prestigious An Comunn Gold Medal in 1955 and 1952, respectively.  The new trophy is being donated by the Kennedy family who will be represented at the Mòd to make the presentation.

   

A similar competition had existed for past winners of the Gold Medal and other solo competitions, but it was discontinued after the 1953 National Mòd in Oban.  Interestingly, Calum was one of the competitors in that event, and went on to win the An Comunn Gold two years later in Aberdeen, which proved to be a springboard for him to world-wide success on the stage.

   

President of An Comunn Gàidhealach, John MacLeod today said, “An Comunn Gàidhealach are really delighted to present such a prestigious competition at this year’s Mod in the Western Isles which we hope will attract many of the great former Gold Medalists from different generations. It is also very fitting that the competition will be held at Mòd nan Eilean Siar in memory of the highly-respected Calum Kennedy and his wife Anne Gillies, who with their family were household names in Gaelic singing and musical entertainment. They were wonderful ambassadors for Gaelic, bringing our language and culture to a world-wide audience, and this will be a great opportunity  to honour their memory ”

   

Fiona Kennedy, Calum & Anne’s eldest daughter today said: “My sisters, Kirsteen, Morag, Morven, Deirdre and myself are very proud to give an award in our parents’ memory. In many ways they were a golden couple, blessed with hauntingly beautiful voices which delighted and moved audiences at home and abroad.  Winning the Gold Medal  at The Mod was where it all started for them and was definitely the catalyst for their careers and they never forgot that. They loved taking part, the preparation and build up every year, the friendships, the fun, the laughter and the ceilidhs!   We know they would be thrilled to have this new competition in their honour.”

   

Entries must be submitted by 31st May 2011 and can be submitted online at www.acg.org, or by post to: An Comunn Gàidhealach, 109 Church Street, Inverness, IV1 1EY. As with other Mod competitions, competitors must submit the words of their chosen song to An Comunn Gàidhealach by 30th June.

 

For any further information on rules etc, please visit www.acgmod.org and www.modnaneileansiar.com

Published: 02nd May 2011

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Entry Forms Now Available

 

 

Entry forms for this year’s Mod are now available for submission online here.

 

Alternatively you can download the forms below and post them to us:

 

Junior Entry 2011.doc

Senior Entry Form 2011.doc 

Choir Entry Form 2011.doc

Senior Piping Entry Form 2011.doc

 

For further information contact Rena Macaskill on 01463 231 226 or [email protected].

 

 

 

 

Published: 21st Apr 2011

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Mod 2010 DVDs on Offer!

 

An Comunn Gàidhealach are offering a number of DVD’s from  the Royal National Mòd 2010 for sale.

 

Note:  The sale is dependant upon sufficient interest and orders being received.  Should the initiative not proceed we will let you know.

 

Please click on the order form below to view the DVDs on offer:

 

 

 

DVD Order Form Mod 2010 (2).doc

 

 

 

 

. 

Published: 21st Apr 2011

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Win a Holiday!

 

 Fancy the Chance of Winning a Holiday Courtesy of Mod nan Eilean Siar 2011?

 

The Mod nan Eilean Siar local committee are about to embark on their latest fundraising drive.  The committee are offering the opportunity to win a £1500 voucher for a holiday, through the Co-operative Travel.  Along with this fantastic prize will be £500 of spending money and Loganair have generously agreed to pay for the return flights from Stornoway to wherever the foreign holiday departs for.

 

Tickets will shortly go on sale and will be available via the Mod 2011 Local Committee's website (www.modnaneileansiar.com), various retail outlets and from committee members.  Tickets will also be on sale at various events across the Western Isles over the coming months and of course throughout Mod week itself.  

  

The draw will take place during Mod week (14th to 22nd October 2011), giving people ample opportunity to purchase tickets!  The voucher will allow the lucky winner to choose where they want to go, how many people they want to take and when they want to go.

 

 

Published: 29th Mar 2011

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News - L408 & L409

 

 

 

 

 

Please note that the following competitions for Choral Arrangements are now Own Choice:

 

 

L408 - Choral arrangement - for adult male, female or mixed voices – own choice of a song from the Gaelic Tradition

L409 - Choral arrangement - for junior choir (either U13 or U18 but please specify) –own choice of a song from the Gaelic Tradition

 

 

Published: 29th Mar 2011

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A304-An gille dubh ciar-dubh

 

A304-An gille dubh ciar-dubh  In bar 27 for Sops 1, the G sharp ought to be a G natural and in bar 50, for Sops 2, the F sharp ought to be an F natural. Published: 22nd Mar 2011

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C156 Clachan Mo Ghaoil

 

 Òrain na Cloinne, Comp C156, Page 18, Clachan mo ghaoil

 

In the last line of verse 3, please note that the word ‘clachan’ is missing an ‘h’ and should be ‘chlachan’.  The whole line should read, “O soraidh dhaibh uile ‘s do chlachan mo ghaoil”

  Published: 22nd Mar 2011

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