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Uist man takes the helm at Comunn na Gàidhlig

December 13, 2016

Coinneach MacIver and Iain MacAulay.

Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG) has appointed a new chair.

Iain Macaulay – originally from North Uist –  who retired earlier this year from his post as Director of Social and Community Services at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar takes over from Coinneach ‘Mòr’ Maciver, who has been chair of Comann na Gàidhlig since 2012.

Iain was brought up in North Uist and educated at Dunskellar School, Paible School and Inverness Royal Academy before graduating in Social Work from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen in 1981.

Iain is a fluent Gaelic-speaker and is married to Anne with a family of two, Marion, who is currently a teacher at Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu and Andrew who has recently taken up a post as a social worker team-leader with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

On standing down, Coinneach “Mòr” MacIòmhair said: “I have been a member of the Comann na Gàidhlig board of directors for nine years, the past four as chair.  I have enjoyed my time there immensely.  Comann na Gàidhlig’s role in creating and providing services to young people in communities across Scotland is both interesting and important, and over the years, we get very positive feedback from both young people and parents as to how Comann na Gàidhlig’s work has helped them learn Gàidhlig, improve fluency and most important of all, given them the confidence to use the language with their peers.

“At a time when huge pressure on public funding is creating uncertainty year on year,  I leave Comunn na Gàidhlig in a strong position, with an excellent board of directors and a team of loyal, diligent staff.  This fills me with confidence for the future and I extend my best wishes for continuing success to Comunn na Gàidhlig and to the new chair, Iain Macaulay.”

Iain Macaulay said: “I am very much looking forward to working with CnaG and all the key stakeholders in supporting Gàidhlig and make a positive contribution to the current work being undertaken in revitalising the language and increasing both the numbers using the language and also the levels of usage on a day to day basis.  

“I recognise there will be many challenges, however, a lot of good work across the Gàidhlig community is being done and the forthcoming National Plan for Gàidhlig provides a great platform and opportunity in promoting the Gàidhlig language in our communities.”

Uibhisteach a’ gabhail an stiùir aig Comunn na Gàidhlig

Tha Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG) air cathraiche ùr a chuir an dreuchd. ‘S esan Iain MacAmhlaigh, à Uibhist a Tuath, ach a’ tha an diugh a’ fuireach air a Bhac.  Leig Iain dheth a dhreuchd mar Stiùiriche Seirbheisean Soisealta is Coimhearsnachd aig Comhairle nan Eilean Siar nas tràithe air a’ bhliadhna agus bidh e a’ gabhail a-null o Choinneach “Mòr” MhicÌomhair, a bh’ air a bhith na chathraiche air CnaG o 2012.

Chaidh Iain a thogail an Uibhist a Tuath, agus chaidh oideachadh an sgoiltean Dhùn Sgealair agus Paible an Uibhist a Tuath agus an uairsin an Acadamaidh Rìoghail Inbhir Nis mun cheumnaich e an Obair Sòisealta an  Institiud Raibeart Ghòrdain, Obar Dheathain an 1981.  Tha Iain, a tha fileanta sa Ghàidhlig, pòsta aig Anna agus tha dithis a theaghlach aca, Marion, a tha a’ teagasg an Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu agus Anndra, a th’ air ùr dhreuchd, mar stiùiriche-sgioba obair sòisealta a ghabhail os làimh aig Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.    

Ann a bhith a’ seasamh sìos mar Chathraiche aig CnaG, thuirt Coinneach “Mòr” Macìomhair, “Tha mi air a bhi air Bòrd-stiùiridh ChnaG airson 9 bliadhna, 4 dhiubh sin mar Chathraiche.  Chòrd an ùine rium gu mòr.  Se obair inntinneach agus chudromach sa bheil CnaG an sàs, iad a’ libhrigeadh sheirbheisean do òigridh an coimhearsnachdan air feadh Alba agus, thar nam bliadhnachan, tha pàrantan agus clann ag innse dhuinn an luach a tha iad a’ cur air an obair sa agus a’ feum a tha e air a dheanamh dhaibh ann a bhith a’ togail agus a’ cleachdadh na Gaidhlig, ach gu sònraichte a’ toirt misneachd dhaibh an cànan a chleachdadh am measg an co-aoisean.

Aig àm far am bheil airgead poblach a’ crìonadh, tha sin ag adhbharrachadh mi-chinnt bho bhliadhna gu bliadhna, ach, tha mi a’ fàgail ChnaG ann an deagh shuidheachdh, le Bòrd stiùiridh agus sgioba luchd obrach làidir.  Tha sin dham fhàgail misneachail airson na làithean a tha romhainn agus tha mi a’guidhe gach soirbheachadh do ChnaG agus don chathraiche ùr, Iain Macamhlaigh.”

Thuirt Iain MacAmhlaigh, “Tha mi gu mòr a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith an sàs le CnaG agus an luchd-compàirteachais eile ann a bhith a’ cur taic ris a’ Ghàidhlig agus a’ cur ris an obair a tha a’ dol air adhart an ceartuair gus ath bheòthachadh a thoirt air a’ chànan agus àrdachadh a thoirt air an àireamh sluaigh a tha a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig agus cuideachd an ìre a thathas ga cleachdadh bho latha gu latha. 

Tha mi ag aithneachadh gum bidh dubhlain romhainn bho àm gu àm, ach, tha obair mhath a’ dol air adhart sna coimhearsnachdan an ceartuair agus tha am Plana Nàiseanta Gàidhlig a bhithtear a’ foillseachadh sna mìosan air thoiseach oirnn a’ toirt deagh chothrom tuilleadh fhoillseachadh agus leasachadh a dhèanamh air a’ Ghàidhlig nar coimhearsnachdan.”

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Coinneach 'Mòr' Maciver, Comunn na Gàidhlig, Gàidhlig, Iain Macaulay

Running start for Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain

July 12, 2016

REISANFHEIS-1

Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain hit the ground running this weekend, with a heart stopping photo finish for the annual ‘Rèis nam Fèis’ fun run.

Each year the week-long festival of music, drama and dance kicks off with the fun run setting off from Stoneybridge Hall in South Uist. More than fifty people took part in ‘Rèis nan Fèis’ on Sunday 10th July 2016.

In a finish that was too close to call, Kevin Beaton from Balivanich and Joseph MacInnes from Stoneybridge came in first equal at 24.32.

Look out for more results in the next edition of Am Pàipear.

Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain is now underway at Sgoil an Iochdair, with more than 120 young people taking part.

Tutors working at the fèis this week will perform at a ceilidh in Stoneybridge Hall at 7.30pm tomorrow evening (Wednesday 13th July).

Then, a live music session will take place at the Dark Island Hotel on Thursday 14th July at 8pm, followed by the climactic Ceilidh na Cloinne at 2pm on Friday 15th July in Sgoil an Iochdair.

Filed Under: Heritage, Music, News Tagged With: Dance, Dark Island Hotel, Fèis Tìr a' Mhurain, Gàidhlig, Iochdar School, Music, Stoneybridge Hall

FilmG launches with new mobile short competition

June 19, 2015

FilmG launch, The Bridges, BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay. Back row (L-R) Megan MacLellan, Norrie MacIver and Margaret Jane Mason. Front row (L-R) Lewis Conley, Caitlin Watt and Freya Dinning.   Photo: Ian Rutherford

FilmG launch, The Bridges, BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay. Back row (L-R) Megan MacLellan, Norrie MacIver and Margaret Jane Mason. Front row (L-R) Lewis Conley, Caitlin Watt and Freya Dinning.
Photo: Ian Rutherford

FilmG launches with new mobile short competition

FilmG, MG ALBA’s Gaelic short film competition has been launched with an event at BBC headquarters in Glasgow, where pupils from three local high schools visited to see this year’s theme revealed and to hear Gaelic-speaking BBC staff talk about their experiences working in the industry.

The competition, which is now in its eighth year, is aimed at uncovering new talent for the Gaelic TV channel BBC ALBA as well as encouraging grassroots filmmaking and story-telling in Gaelic speaking communities across Scotland.

It is hoped that this year’s theme ‘Cliù’ which means prestige, fame or reputation, will be a good way for filmmakers to access interesting stories about individuals or places for their films.

As well as a number of additional awards, including Best Script, Best Comedy Short and Best Animation, this year’s competition also sees the addition of an award for the Best Mobile Short. Entrants are asked to shoot at least 70% of their footage on a mobile device and funders MG ALBA believe this will lead to the creation of more user generated Gaelic content.

Iseabail Mactaggart, MG ALBA’s Director of Development and Partnership, said: “The rise in digital media is extremely exciting. More and more people are viewing content online and the space between the creator and the audience is getting closer, particularly with social media as a means of promoting content. We’d like to see more Gaelic content within this space and FilmG is a great scheme for supporting this outcome.”

FilmG is particularly popular with high schools across Scotland that teach Gaelic. Three schools were able to attend the event, Glasgow Gaelic School, Greenfaulds High School in Cumbernauld, and Grange Academy in Kilmarnock. Pupils enjoyed hearing from BBC staff about their experiences, particularly De-a-Nis? presenter Megan MacLellan who got her first big break through FilmG.

Megan said: “I thought I was just acting in a little school film, but then I was short-listed for my performance and won the award at the first FilmG Awards ceremony back in 2009. As my studies were coming to an end an opportunity to audition for De-a-Nis? came up and I jumped at it. I love how varied my job is, sometimes I’m in the office and other times I can be out filming some really cool and fun things.”

FilmG is now open for entries until Wednesday 16 December, all films must be in Scottish Gaelic and can be up to five minutes (youth category) or up to 10 minutes (open and community) in length. Films from previous years are available to watch online at www.filmg.co.uk. If you’d like to make a film and want to know more about the competition, please contact the team at fios@filmg.co.uk.

FilmG ga chuir air bhog le ch-fharpais ùr nam fònaichean-làimhe

Chaidh FilmG, co-fharpais nam filmichean goirid Gàidhlig aig MG ALBA, a chur air bhog ann am Prìomh-oifisean a’ BhBC aig Pacific Quay ann an Glaschu. Thàinig sgoilearan à trì àrd-sgoiltean san sgìre cruinn còmhla airson foillseachadh cuspair na bliadhna sa fhaicinn agus airson èisteachd ri luchd-obrach Gàidhlig a’ BhBC a’ bruidhinn mun eòlas aca air obair sa ghnìomhachas.

Tha e fa-near don cho-fharpais, a tha san ochdamh bliadhna bho chaidh a cur air chois, tàlant ùr airson an sianal telebhisein Gàidhlig, BBC ALBA, a lorg cho math ri filmichean is sgeulachdan a bhrosnachadh ann an coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig air feadh na h-Alba. Thathar an dòchas gun toir cuspair na bliadhna, ‘cliù’, cothrom don luchd-film sgeulachdan inntinneach mu dhaoine no àiteachan a lorg airson nam filmichean aca.

A bharrachd air grunnan duaisean ùra, a leithid Sgriobt As Fheàrr, Film Goirid Èibhinn As Fheàrr agus Beò-dhealbh As Fheàrr, tha duais ùr ann an co-fharpais na bliadhna airson Film Goirid Fòn-làimhe As Fheàrr. Thathar ag iarraidh air an luchd-film co-dhiù 70% den fhilm aca a chlàradh air inneal-làimhe agus tha am buidheann-maoineachaidh MG ALBA den bheachd gun tèid barrachd susbaint Gàidhlig a chruthachadh mar thoradh air seo.

Thuirt Iseabail Nic an t-Sagairt: “Tha leasachadh nam meadhanan didseatach gu math cudromach. Tha barrachd dhaoine a-nis a’ coimhead air susbaint air-loidhne agus tha am beàrn eadar an luchd-film is an luchd-amhairc a’ dùnadh, gu h-àraid leis na meadhanan-sòisealta mar dhòigh air susbaint a bhrosnachadh. Bu mhath leinn gun rachadh tuilleadh susbaint Gàidhlig a chruthachadh agus ‘s e sgeama fìor mhath a th’ ann am FilmG airson taic a chumail ris an amas seo.”

Tha fèill mhòr air FilmG anns na h-àrd-sgoiltean air feadh na h-Alba anns a bheilear a’ teagasg Gàidhlig. Bha trì sgoiltean an làthair aig an tachartas, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, Àrd-sgoil Greenfaulds ann an Comar nan Allt agus Acadamaidh Grange ann an Cille Mheàrnaig. Chòrd e ris na sgoilearan a bhith ag èisteachd ri luchd-obrach a’ BhBC mun eòlas-obrach aca, gu h-àraid Megan NicGillFhaolain, a fhuair a ciad chothrom air an sgrion le FilmG.

Thuirt Megan: “Bha mise den bheachd nach robh mi ach ri cleasachd ann am film beag sgoile, ach an uair sin chaidh a’ chleasachd agam ainmeachadh air a’ gheàrr-liosta agus ghlèidh mi an duais aig ciad chuirm duaisean FilmG air ais ann an 2009. Nuair a bha mi a’ cur crìoch air mo chùrsa oilthigh nochd cothrom obrach le Dè-a-nis? agus cha b’ e ruith ach leum a rinn mi don agallamh. ‘S fìor thoigh leam cho measgaichte ‘s a tha m’ obair-sa, uaireannan bidh mi san oifis agus uaireannan eile bidh mi a-muigh a’ filmadh rudan sgoinneil, spòrsail!”

Tha FilmG fosgailte a-nis gu Diciadain 16 An Dùbhlachd agus feumaidh gach film a bhith ann an Gàidhlig na h-Alba agus nas giorra na còig mionaidean (roinn na h-òigridh) agus 10 mionaidean (roinnean fosgailte is coimhearsnachd). Faodar filmichean nam bliadhnaichean roimhe fhaicinn air-loidhne aig www.filmg.co.uk. Nam bu mhath leat film a dhèanamh agus barrachd fiosrachaidh fhaighinn mun cho-fharpais, nach cuir thu fios don sgioba aig fios@filmg.co.uk.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: BBC ALBA, FilmG, Gaelic, Gàidhlig, MG ALBA

Bliadhna Dhàna – A bold year for online Gaelic magazine

March 2, 2015

Dàna began as an online Gaelic magazine one year ago.

Dàna began as an online Gaelic magazine one year ago.

Bliadhna Dhàna airson iris-d na Gàidhlig

Tha an iris-d Ghàidhlig, Dàna, a’ comharrachadh bliadhna on a chaidh a stèidheachadh sa Mhàrt an-uiridh.

Dh’èirich smuaintean airson Dàna an lorg naidheachd gum biodh an iris pàipeir Cothrom, le Clì, a’ dol à bith. Bhathar a’ smaoineachadh le buidheann de sgrìobhadairean gun robh beàrn ann airson iris ùr a chur air bhonn air-loidhne do choimhearsnachdan na Gàidhlig.

Chaidh làrach-lìn Dàna a chur air bhog air 7 Am Màrt 2014, le 6 artaigilean air cuspairean diofraichte, poileataigs, saidheans, spòrs agus film nam measg. Bho na tùsan sin, tha Dàna air 150 pìosan Gàidhlig ùra fhoillseachadh taobh a-staigh bliadhna, le corr ‘s deich ar fhichead tabhartaiche.

Thuirt Rhona NicDhùghaill, o sgioba Dhàna: “Bha sinn airson coltas ùr, snasail agus guth neo-fhoirmeil a bhith aig an iris, agus rudeigin a chruthachadh a bhiodhtarraingeach do dhaoine òga – agus daoine nach eil cho òg! – san latha an-diugh.

“Chaidh ar brosnachadh le bhith a’ coimhead air làrach-lìn an iris Gaeilge, NÓS. Bha coltas cho tarraingeach air, cho math ri rud sam bith a chitheadh thu ann am Beurla.”

Tha farsaingeachd artaigilean air a bhith a’ nochdadh ann an Dàna, bhon IndyRef gu iomain, o “Ghràin air a’ Ghàidhlig” gu càs nan Tùsanach Ameirigeanach, o bhàrdachd mu Grand Theft Auto gu sgeulachdan goirid coltach ri Lovecraft. O chionn ghoirid, dh’fhoillsich an iris artaigil leis an Dr. Aonghas MacLeòid a’ càineadh phoileasaidh Gàidhlig Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar, a thàinig gu aire nam meadhanan nàiseanta.

‘S e iomairt shaor-thoileach a th’ ann an Dàna, le sgrìobhadh a’ tighinn à iomadh ceàrn agus sgioba bheag de cheathrar ga stiùireadh ‘s ga dheasachadh. Mar sin, tha iad gu mòr an eisimeil nan tagraichean a chuireas pìosan thuca.

Tha Dàna gu math pròiseil gu bheil iad neo-eisimeileach. Cha b’ e rathad rèidh a bha mu choinneimh irisean Gàidhlig sa bhliadhna a dh’fhalbh. Tha Cothrom, a dh’fhalbh ‘s a thill ann an riochd ùr, agus Nòs, iris-d ar co-Ghàidheil an Èireann, nan deagh eisimpleirean dhen chunnart an lùib a bhith an crochadh ri maoineachadh bhon sporan phoblach a-mhàin.

Thuirt Eòghan Stiùbhart on sgioba deasachaidh: “Tha sinn moiteil gu bheil sinn neo-eisimileach. Cha tèid sinn à bith fo rùn buidheann no cuideigin eile.”

Tha feallsanachd Dhàna ri shealltainn anns an ainm fhèin.

Mar a thuirt Liam Crouse o sgioba Dhàna: “Mura h-eil rudeigin a’ dol a thachairt air thàilleibh nach eil cuideigin eile a’ dol ga dhèanamh, dèanadh tu fhèin e! A bheil sinne, mar luchd-taice a’
chànain, a’ dèanamh ar leòir airson ’s gun nochd i fo bhlàth às ùr? An leig sinne leis a’ Ghàidhlig a dhol sìos bliadhna is bliadhna, air neo, a bheil sinn a’ dol a dhèanamh an oidhirp a tha a dhìth gus ar cànan a neartachadh. Tha corra càs nach eil nar làmhan, air nach eil sinn comasach atharrachadh. Ach tha tòrr a bharrachd a tha nar comas.”

San àm ri teachd, tha dùil aig Dàna cumail orra a’ cur ri beachdan an t-sluaigh agus sgaoileadh na h-irise.

Thuirt Steaphan MacRisnidh, fear eile bhon sgioba deasachaidh: “Bidh sinn ag amas air ruigheachd na h-irise a leudachadh – tro na meadhanan sòisealta, tro bhideo agus audio, agus cuideachd ann an clò. Tha sinn airson cluinntinn o sgrìobhadairean ùra, sgrìobhadairean eòlach, agus gu h-àraidh ar luchd-leughaidh. A bheil beachdan aca air dòighean as fheàrr air an iris a sgaoileadh?
An urrainn dhaibh ar cuideachadh? Mas urrainn, tha sinn gu mòr airson cluinntinn bhuapa.”
Gheibhear greim air Dàna air loidhne aig na seòlaidhean seo:
www.danamag.org
fios@danamag.org
Twitter – @dana_mag
Facebook – Dàna

 
Bliadhna Dhàna – A Bold Year for On-line Gaelic Magazine

The Gaelic on-line magazine, Dàna, marks a year this week since it was established last March.

Dàna arose in the aftermath of the closure of the last hard-copy Gaelic periodical, Cothrom, published by Clì. A group of enthusiastic writers felt it important to create a place where new articles and creative writing could be published and made available to the wider Gaelic communities.

Dàna’s online site was launched on the 7th of March, 2014, featuring 6 articles on various subjects, including politics, science, sport and film. Since then, they have published around 150 pieces of new Gaelic writing, by over 30 different contributors.

Rhona NicDhùghaill, from Dàna’s editorial team, said: “We wanted the magazine to have a fresh, cool look and a laid-back tone; we wanted to create something current that would appeal to young people – and not so young people! We were also inspired by the Irish language magazine, NÓS. It looked so attractive to readers, as good as anything you’d see in English.”

The articles published by Dàna cover a wide range of subject matter, from the politics of the IndyRef to shinty, from facing down anti-Gaelic hatred to the plight of Native Americans, from poetry about Grand Theft Auto to Lovecraftian short stories.

Recently, the magazine published an article by Dr Angus MacLeod which took aim at the Gaelic Policy of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, achieving national news coverage.

Dàna is a voluntary initiative, with a small steering and editorial group, so is therefore reliant on the efforts of its varied contributors. The team at Dàna are happy to be indepedent independent; having seen Cothrom, An Gàidheal Ùr and NÓS suffer cuts or closure, they are well aware of the dangers of being too reliant on funding.

Eòghan Stiùbhart, another editor and contributor, said, “We’re proud to be independent. We won’t go out of existence due to the decisions of other people.”

The philosophy behind Dàna is one which in keeping with the translation of its name in English, “Bold” or “Brave”.

As Liam Crouse from the Dàna team adds: “ It’s about not waiting for somebody to do something, but to do it yourself. Are we, as Gaelic speakers and supporters, doing enough to help revitalise Gaelic? Are we prepared to let the language decline year after year, or are we going to put in the effort that’s needed to strengthen our language? There are many things we can’t change, but
there are plenty of things we can take into our own hands and try and make a difference to Gaelic.”

As it enters its second year, the team at Dàna hope that it will continue to go from strength to strength.

Another editor and contributor, Steaphan MacRisnidh, said, “We hope to explore different avenues to ensure that the magazine can secure as wide a readership as possible – through social media, through video and audio, and indeed in print. We want to hear from everyone, new writers, experienced writers, our readers, and also people who haven’t read Dàna yet. Do they have suggestions
as to how we can reach a wider audience? If they’re interested in getting involved, we’d love to hear from them.”

Dàna can be found on-line at the following places.
www.danamag.org
fios@danamag.org
Twitter – @dana_mag
Facebook – Dàna

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Dàna, Gàidhlig, Magazine, Publishing

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