An Comunn Gàidhealach

THE ROYAL NATIONAL MOD LIVE FROM CAITHNESS ON BBC ALBA

BBC ALBA is delighted to announce that it will be broadcasting daily programmes live from this year’s Royal National Mod. The Mod, organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, is the Gaelic community’s most prestigious celebration of arts, music, culture and language and this year’s festival takes place in Caithness for the first time.

BBC Gàidhlig will be producing five live programmes showcasing daily highlights from the festival from Monday 11 to Friday 15 October. On Monday, prominence is given to young Gaelic learners and the keenly contested James C MacPhee Memorial Medals which are open to boys and girls aged 13-15. On Tuesday the spotlight moves to young fluent Gaelic speakers and will feature the winners of the coveted Silver Medals. Wednesday’s programme will feature a Mod Fringe Cèilidh with performances from some of the competition winners and local artists. Thursday is gold medal day and the winning soloists are set to be the highlight of the evening’s programme along with the successful rural choirs. The final concert from Caithness on Friday will feature the winners of the prestigious Lovat & Tullibardine choral prize as well as many other winning performances from the week.

Mod 2010 will broadcast for two hours from 8.30pm except on Wednesday when it will air at 9pm. A 45 minute highlights edition will also be available each evening after 2320 on BBC TWO Scotland with a repeat the following afternoon at 1415. The programmes will be presented by highly acclaimed singer and musician Mary-Ann Kennedy.

One of the most popular events at the Mod each year is the Mire ri Mòir cèilidh, which is broadcast live on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC ALBA. Presented by Morag Dhòmhnallach, the show attracts capacity audiences. This year’s cèilidh will take place on Friday 15 October at the Thurso Royal British Legion starting at 10am.

Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Service for BBC ALBA, said: “Year on year, the Mod continues to gain international recognition drawing competitors and visitors not only from across the UK but also from Ireland, the USA, Canada and Australia. I am delighted that BBC ALBA and Radio nan Gàidheal are able to offer audiences the opportunity to enjoy the best of the Mod through our television and radio coverage, and to join in with the excitement of the event wherever they are”.

John Morrison, Chief Executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “We are delighted that BBC ALBA is extending coverage of the Mod. I am sure that the coverage will showcase the Mod at its best, and will also present the beautiful scenery of Caithness at its Autumn finest. “The extended coverage, and the comprehensive nature of the coverage, across a range of platforms, is a powerful endorsement of the National Mod. We are grateful to the BBC for the continued, and valued, support that they give to An Comunn Gaidhealach and to the Royal National Mod.”

Mod 2010 programming on BBC ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal will also cater for the younger viewers and listeners as the Aileag and De a-nis? teams capture all the fun and excitement of the event.