Mòd Phàislig 2023 countdown has begun

Paisley’s celebrations for World Gaelic Week (Seachdain na Gàidhlig) mark the start of the countdown to the town hosting The Royal National Mòd (Mòd Phàislig) – a decade since it last staged the prestigious event.

Mòd Phàislig, organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, is expected to bring thousands of visitors and competitors to the town for the nine-day festival which will take place at venues across Paisley from Friday 13 – Saturday 21 October.

The Royal National Mòd, Scotland’s premier celebration of Gaelic culture and heritage, will feature a range of competitive disciplines, including Gaelic song, poetry, literature, drama, instrumental, Highland dancing and sport.

While the Mòd fringe will see a range of events and opportunities for people to experience and enjoy everything Gaelic arts and culture have to offer, including activities for children and families, alongside the main festival programme.

The second annual Seachdain na Gàidhlig runs from 20 – 26 February. This year’s celebrations are under the theme of ‘Coming Together’ and prioritise bringing communities together and promoting the importance and use of Gaelic language.

Fèis Phàislig

Local Gaelic arts and culture group Fèis Phàislig secured funding from Seachdain na Gàidhlig organisers, Hands Up for Trad, to host Bàrd Phàislig: The Paisley Bard Resource Creation and Family Cèilidh as part of this week’s celebrations. Some Fèis musicians talked about their excitement at the Mòd coming to Paisley this year.

Fèis Phàislig coordinator, Grant McFarlane, said: “The Mòd is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Gaelic culture that is thriving in the town since the event was last here in 2013. Organisations like the Fèis have come to life and there’s a real community in Renfrewshire for Gaelic culture and the Mòd is a great opportunity to develop and expand that community.”

Fèis ceilidh trail musician, Emma Loney (17) has never been to the Mòd before. She said: “I fell in love with Trad music because it’s very relaxed and informal – there’s a great feel behind it and I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone come together from all over to enjoy and play traditional music at the Mòd.”

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Perth reported a £2.5million boost to the area’s economy when they hosted last year’s Mòd. Some 95% of those surveyed at the 2022 event also said they would be likely or highly likely to visit the Mòd in Paisley this October.

Renfrewshire’s Provost, Lorraine Cameron, said: “Seachdain na Gàidhlig offers the perfect opportunity to showcase the rich Gaelic culture which has developed in Renfrewshire since we last hosted the Mòd in 2013.

“I am looking forward to welcoming The Royal National Mòd back to Paisley this year, and preparations are well underway to make sure Mòd Phàislig is a fantastic celebration of Gaelic language and culture.”

James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “We can’t wait to bring The Royal National Mòd to Paisley once again this October. Mòd Phàislig 2013 was a fantastic event and the town’s growing commitment to developing Gaelic culture and language over the last decade is wonderful to see. I’m looking forward to learning more about Paisley’s diverse heritage over the course of the festival and it will be brilliant to celebrate Gaelic music and culture across Paisley’s beautiful venues.”

For more information on Paisley’s hosting of Mòd Phàislig visit www.paisley.is.

GAELIC TRANSLATION:

Tha sinn air an t-slighe gu Mòd Phàislig 2023

BidhSeachdain na Gàidhlig ann am Pàislig na ro-bhlasad dhen ghàirdeachas a chì Pàislig nuair a chumas am baile am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail – deich bliadhna bhon a chùm iad an tachartas cliùiteach mu dheireadh.

Tha dùil gun toir Mòd Phàislig, air a ruith leis a’ Chomunn Ghàidhealach, na mìltean de luchd-tadhail is farpaisich don bhaile airson na fèise naoi-latha a bhios a’ tachairt air feadh Phàislig eadar Dihaoine 13 – Disathairne 21 Dàmhair.

Bidh Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail, prìomh fhèis na h-Alba airson cultar is dualchas na Gàidhlig , a’ nochdadh raon de dh’fharpaisean, a’ gabhail a-steach òrain Ghàidhlig, bàrdachd, litreachas, dràma, ceòl, dannsa Gàidhealach agus spòrs.

Agus air iomall a’ Mhòid bidh raon de thachartasan agus chothroman do dhaoine airson eòlas fhaighinn air agus tlachd a ghabhail à ealain is cultar na Gàidhlig, a’ toirt a-steach tachartasan do chlann is teaghlaichean, a’ ruith aig an aon àm ri prìomh phrògram a’ Mhòid.

Bidh an dàrna Seachdain na Gàidhlig bhliadhnail a’ ruith eadar 20 – 26 Gearran. Is e cuspair na bliadhna sa ‘Tighinn Còmhla’ a’ toirt prìomhachas do choimhearsnachdan a thoirt còmhla agus cudromachd agus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh.

Fhuair buidheann ionadail ealain is cultar na Gàidhlig, Fèis Phàislig, maoineachadh bho luchd-eagrachaidh Seachdain na Gàidhlig, Hands Up for Trad, gus Bàrd Phàislig: Cruthachadh Ghoireasan Bàrd Phàislig agus Cèilidh Teaghlaich a chumail mar phàirt de chomharrachadh na seachdain sa. Tha cuid de luchd-ciùil na Fèis air bhioran gu bheil am Mòd a’ tighinn a Phàislig am-bliadhna.

Fèis Phàislig

thuirt co-òrdanaiche Fèis Phàislig, Grannd MacPhàrlain: “’S e cothrom air leth a th’ anns a’ Mhòd gus cultar na Gàidhlig a thaisbeanadh a tha air a bhith a’ soirbheachadh sa bhaile bhon a bha an tachartas an seo ann an 2013. Tha buidhnean mar an Fhèis air nochdadh, tha fìor choimhearsnachd do chultar na Gàidhlig ann an Siorrachd Rinn Friù, agus tha am Mòd na dheagh chothrom a’ choimhearsnachd sin a leasachadh agus a leudachadh.”

Cha robh neach-ciùil slighe cèilidh na Fèise, Emma Loney (17) aig a’ Mhòd a-riamh roimhe. Thuirt i: “Thuit mi ann an gaol le ceòl Traidiseanta oir tha e gu math dòigheil agus neo-fhoirmeil – tha deagh fhaireachdainn mun cuairt air agus tha mi a’ coimhead air adhart gu mòr ri bhith faicinn a h-uile duine a’ tighinn còmhla bho air feadh an t-saoghail airson ceòl traidiseanta a mhealtainn agus a chluich aig a’ Mhòd.”

Thug am Mòd àrdachadh de £2.5m air eaconamaidh sgìre Pheairt nuair a bha an fhèis sa bhaile an-uiridh. Thuirt mu 95% den fheadhainn a fhreagair suirbhidh aig tachartas 2022 gum biodh iad dualtach no glè dhualtach tadhal air a’ Mhòd ann am Pàislig san Dàmhair am-bliadhna.

Thuirt Lorraine Chamshron, Pròbhaist Siorrachd Rinn Friù: “Tha Seachdain na Gàidhlig a’ tabhann deagh chothrom taisbeanaidh air cultar beairteach na Gàidhlig a tha air a thighinn air adhart ann an Siorrachd Rinn Friù bhon a bha am Mòd againn mu dheireadh ann an 2013.

“Tha mi a’ coimhead air adhart ri Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail fhàilteachaidh air ais a Phàislig am-bliadhna, agus tha obair ullachaidh a’ dol air adhart gus dèanamh cinnteach gum bi Mòd Phàislig na dheagh chomharrachadh air cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig.”

Thuirt Seumas Greumach, Àrd Oifigear a’ Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich: “Tha sinn air bhioran gus am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail a thoirt air ais a Phàislig san Dàmhair. Bha Mòd Phàislig 2013 dìreach fhèin mìorbhaileach agus tha dealas a’ bhaile airson cultar is cànan na Gàidhlig a leasachadh thar nan deich bliadhna a dh’fhalbh sgoinneil ri fhaicinn. Tha mi a’ dèanamh fiughair ri barrachd ionnsachadh mu dhualchas eadar-mheasgte Phàislig tron Mhòd agus bidh e sgoinneil ceòl is cultar na Gàidhlig a chomharrachadh ann an togalaichean àlainn Phàislig.”

Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh air Mòd Phàislig tadhlaibh air www.paisley.is.