Royal National Mod schedule reorganisation confirmed

Issued by An Comunn Gàidhealach

Following its decision to postpone the planned 2020 Royal National Mod in Inverness until October 2021, event organiser An Comunn Gaidhealach has now confirmed that a reorganisation of the schedule of National Mod host venues up to 2024 has been agreed.

With the Royal National Mod in Inverness now to take place between 8 and 16 October 2021, the dates for the other host areas are to be as follows.

Perth - 14-22 October 2022

Paisley - 13-21 October 2023.

Oban - October 2024 (dates to be confirmed when 2024 school term dates become available)

An Comunn President, Allan Campbell, said “This postponement of a National Mod for the first time, excluding the First and Second World War years, was surely as difficult a decision as An Comunn directors have ever had to make. We made it with great sadness, but with a clear recognition that it was unavoidably the right thing to do.

I wish to thank the leaders and officers of all the hosting Councils for their understanding and support to us in agreeing the amended programme for these National Mods, and we look forward to events which will benefit their respective communities and our Gaelic language and culture.”

Highland Councillor Alister Mackinnon said “Highland Council is fully aware of the importance of the flagship status of the Royal National Mod for Gaelic and the communities within which it is held each year. The Council looks forward to welcoming it back to Inverness when Government restrictions are lifted and we can all safely meet again and celebrate the Gaelic language and culture.”

Perth and Kinross Council Chief Executive, Karen Reid, said “On behalf of the Council, I am also delighted to formally confirm that Perth is able to host the Mod in 2022. We will continue to work with colleagues and local partners to bring about a successful event which will showcase our Gaelic culture and heritage to the rest of Scotland, and beyond.” 

An Comunn Gaidhealach Chief Executive, James Graham, acknowledged that circumstances would be a disappointment for Mod competitors of all ages who will have put a great deal of time and energy into preparing for this year’s event. There is, however, some good news!

“Recognising the work that will already have been done by competitors to prepare for the 2020 Royal National Mod we have decided to carry an unaltered syllabus of prescribed music forward to the 2021 event in Inverness. We believe this will be welcomed by all participants and we look forward to another enjoyable Mod in 2021, and equally successful events in the following years.

We are also planning the production of an online celebration of Gaelic song and music in the near future to engage with our Mòd and Gaelic community, but I must stress this will not be intended as a substitute Mòd. We are excited to be exploring options, not just in response to a difficult situation, but in a way that will have a positive impact on the language and culture going forward. We will announce more details when our planning is complete.”

Atharrachadh air clàr a’ Mhòid Nàiseanta Rìoghail dearbhte

A’ leantainn air co-dhùnadh a ghabh e gus Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail 2020 an Inbhir Nis a chur dheth chun an Dàmhair ann an 2021, tha buidheann deasachadh an tachartais, An Comunn Gàidhealach, toilichte dearbhadh gum bheil atharrachadh clàr sgìrean aoigheachd a’ Mhòid Nàiseanta Rìoghail aontaichte gu ruige 2024.

Le Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail Inbhir Nis gu bhith a-nise a’ gabhail àite eadar 8 agus 16 an Dàmhair 2021, bidh cinn-latha nan sgìrean-aoigheachd eile mar a leanas.

Peairt  - 14-22 an Dàmhair 2022
Pàislig  - 13-21 an Dàmhair 2023
An t-Òban - an Dàmhair 2024 (fios air cinn-latha nuair a bhios tèarm nan sgoiltean dearbhte)

Thuirt Ceann-suidhe a Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich, Ailean Caimbeul, “Bha a bhith a’ cur an dàil seo air a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta airson a’ chiad turas a-riamh, seach bliadhnaichean an dà Chogadh Mhòr, cho doirbh ri co-dhùnadh a thàinig air stiùirichean a’ Chomuinn riamh. Rinn sinn e le mòr mhulad, ach le làn mhothachadh gum b’ e seo slighe cheart agus do-sheachanta às leth na h-uile. Dh’iarrainn taing a thoirt dha buill agus oifigearan nan Comhairlean seo uile a tha toirt aoigheachd, airson an tuigse agus an taice ann a bhith ag aontachadh ris na h-atharraichean seo air clàr nam Mòdan Nàiseanta. Nì sinn fiughair ri tachartasan, nuair a thig iad, a bhios buannachdail dha na coimhearsnachdan sin agus dhan Ghàidhlig.”

Thuirt an Comhairliche Gàidhealach Alistair MacFhionghuin “Tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd ag aithneachadh cho cudromach ‘s a tha Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail do na coimhearsnachdan far am bithear ga chumail gach bliadhna. ‘S e adhbhar tlachd a th’ ann gum bithear a’ cur fàilte air a’ Mhòd a’ tilleadh a dh’ Inbhir Nis nuair a thèid bacaidhean oifigeil a lùghdachadh. Tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart le mòran fiughair ri coinneachadh ri chèile a-rithist slàn, fallain gus cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig a chomharrachadh.”

Thuirt Ceannard Chomhairle Pheairt agus Chinn Rois, Karen Reid, “Às leth na Comhairle, tha mise glè thoilichte dearbhadh gun tèid aig Peairt air aoigheachd a thoirt dhan Mhòd ann an 2022. Cumaidh sinn ag obair còmhla,  agus le luchd com-pàirt ionadail, gus tachartas soirbheachail a thoirt gu buil, a dh’fhoillsicheas ar cultar agus dualchas Gàidhlig gu h-èifeachdach feadh, agus taobh a-muigh Alba.”

Tha Àrd-oifigear a Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich, Seumas Greumach, mothachail gum bidh cùisean nan tàmailt dha farpaisich de gach aois a bhios air mòran ùine agus spàirn a chur ri deasachadh airson Mòd na bliadhna seo. Ach ged-tà, tha deagh naidheachd ann!

“Le mothachadh air an obair a bhios farpaisich air a dhèanamh mar-thà ma choinneimh Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail 2020 tha sinn air co-dhùnadh an clàr-obrach thaghte air fad a thoirt air adhart gun atharrachadh gu tachartas 2021 ann an Inbhir Nis. Tha dùil gun cuir luchd com-pàirteachaidh uile fàilte air seo agus bidh fiughair againn ri Mòd taitneach eile ann an 2021, agus tachartasan pailt cho soirbheachail anns na bliadhnaichean a leanas,

Tha sinn cuideachd a’ beachdachadh air òrain agus ceòl Gàidhlig a chomharrachadh air loidhne san eadar-ama gus ceangal le coimhearsnachd a’ Mhòid agus na Gàidhlig, ach dh’iarrainn daingneachadh nach eil seo  a’ dol air adhart an àite Mòd!  ’S e toileachas a th’ ann a bhi a beachdachadh air roghainnean, chan ann a-mhàin air sgàth suidheachadh dùbhlanach, ach air dòigh a bheir deagh bhuaidh air a’ chànan is air a’ chultar a’ dol air adhart.  Foillsichidh sinn tuilleadh fiosrachaidh nuair a bhios an dealbhachadh dèanta.”