Paisley Daily Express

Getting the word out there on Paisley Bard

- EDEL KENEALY

Buddies will help showcase the Paisley Bard later this month as they join people from across the globe in celebratin­g Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2023.

World Gaelic Week will take place for the second time from Monday, February 20 to Friday, February 26 with the overarchin­g theme of coming together.

As part of the festivitie­s Fèis Phàislig will be launching the Bàrd Phàislig: The Paisley Bard Resource Creation initiative.

The local organisati­on will compile a wealth of informatio­n about Donald MacIntyre, his works and most importantl­y his connection­s to Paisley.

Despite being born on Uist, Dòmhnall Ruadh Mac has always been known as the Paisley Bard with many of his poems and songs written while he lived in the town.

Donald MacIntyre initiative launches in World Gaelic Week

All of the informatio­n will be collated and presented on the Bord Na Gàidhlig website and be launched in October when Paisley hosts the Royal National Mod.

Fèis Phàislig – an arts organisati­on that promotes interest, education and participat­ion in the traditiona­l arts and Gaelic culture across Renfrewshi­re – will also round the week off with a family ceilidh when their Gaelic choir will sing some of the bard’s songs.

Community Circus, Paisley, is also hosting a Gaelic Circus Open Day, as part of World Gaelic Week, with a two-hour workshop and Gaelic training for staff on February 25.

West Primary, which hosts Renfrewshi­re’s Gaelic medium learning, is also one of dozens of schools across

Scotland which is taking part in the weeklong celebratio­ns.

The school will host Gaelic lessons for learners, parents and staff and a poster competitio­n, while a trad band has been invited to play at a school assembly.

All three initiative­s have been funded by Bord Na Gàidhlig - the organisati­on behind World Gaelic Week - and its Small Events Fund Scheme.

Shona NicIllinne­in of Bord Na Gàidhlig said: “We are delighted to support Seachdain na Gàidhlig again following on from the resounding success of its first year.

“This week celebrates everything about Gaelic – the language, the culture, the arts, music and heritage and we are very much looking forward to this year’s offering.

“The Small Events Fund Scheme will have enabled more groups to host their own events in their communitie­s and we are hugely encouraged by the number of applicants.

“In line with the aims of the National Gaelic Language Plan, this week helps to promote and normalise the Gaelic language as well as contribute to wellbeing and creating and strengthen­ing connection­s in Gaelic worldwide.”

With the theme of coming together, World Gaelic Week will build on its 2022 success by prioritisi­ng uniting people in their own communitie­s.

It will connect people from all walks of life across the world to promote, use and learn Gaelic; through a coordinate­d network of activities.

This week celebrates everything about Gaelic – the language, the culture, the arts, music and heritage

 ?? ?? Celebratio­nJoy Dunlop launches World Gaelic Week at Community Circus Paisley with help from Grant McFarlane of Fèis Phàislig
Celebratio­nJoy Dunlop launches World Gaelic Week at Community Circus Paisley with help from Grant McFarlane of Fèis Phàislig

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