Mod News
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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