New president for An Comunn
OBAN TIMES columnist Allan Campbell has been named as the new president of An Comunn Gaidhealach.
Mr Campbell, who is originally from the Isle of Skye and now lives in Inverness, has been involved with An Comunn Gàidhealach and the Royal National Mòd for many years and has served as a director of the organisation for the past eight years. He follows in the footsteps of John Macleod, who has stepped aside from the role after 10 years.
Mr Campbell, speaking following the AGM of An Comunn Gàidhealach in Lochaber, said: ‘I would like to thank John Macleod for his work over the past decade.
‘The role of president of An Comunn Gàidhealach will be both challenging and, hopefully, fulfilling.
‘I do not underestimate the challenges, but I also recognise the opportunities that we are now presented with through Gaelic-medium education and the arts.
‘The supporting infrastructure is now in place and we can help to move the re-emergence of our language, music and culture forward over the coming years. We will strive to fulfill the aspirations outlined in the National Gaelic Plan. I look forward to shaping An Comunn Gàidhealach in the years to come.’
In addition, at the AGM, Janet Macdonald stepped down as the Mòd director. The role is the key position liaising between the staff of An Comunn Gàidhealach and the communities that support the Royal National Mòd.
Mr Campbell paid tribute to Ms Macdonald, saying that he recognised the power of work that she had undertaken for more than a decade.
‘Janet has been the driving force behind the smooth running of the huge event that the Royal Nation- al Mòd has now become. She has brought a quiet authority and a meticulous attention to detail to the whole event.
‘Her ability to work with everyone in high-pressure competitive situations has defined the external perception of the event and we are grateful for her support. We hope that Janet will remain in our midst over the next years to help assure, and direct us, when assurance and direction are needed.’
‘S E URRAM MÒR a bh’ ann dhòmhsa dreuchd chinn-suidhe a’ Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich a ghabhail thairis aig Coinneimh Bhliadhnail a’ Chomuinn sa Ghearasdan Dihaoine seo chaidh.
Tha mi gu sònraichte mothachail air an obair ionmholta a rinn Iain MacLeòid bhon do ghabh mi thairis, fad nan deich bliadhna a thug e fhèin san dreuchd.
Chan eil mòran a tha an sàs ann am poilitigs na dùthcha neo aig am bheil an seòrsa cumhachd a dh’fhaodadh feum a dhèanamh dha cor na Gàidhlig nach eil air eòlas fhaotainn air Iain thar nam bliadhnaichean is e a’ strì gun lasachadh às leth a’ chànain, agus tha mi air leth toilichte gun lean a shaothair agus gum bi luach a chuid eòlais cuideachd aig a’ Chomunn is e a’ fuireach na bhall den bhòrdstiùiridh.
Sin mar is còir dha cùisean a bhith oir tha feum aig iomairt leasachaidh na Gàidhlig air a h-uile taic a ghabhas faotainn dha, agus mar a tha mi air a bhith ag ràdh bho chionn ghoirid tha na Mòdan Ionadail agus Mòdan Nàiseanta nam pàirtean cudromach de dh’obair-liubhairt amasan Phlana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig.
Air an t-seachdain seo chaidh bha mi gar brosnachadh cothrom a ghabhail beachdan a chur gu Bòrd na Gàidhlig air an dreach den treas Plana Nàiseanta a tha an- dràsta a-mach airson co- chomhairleachadh poblach gu 17 den Chèitean.
Bha deasbad inntinneach agus feumail mun Phlana air Prògram Choinnich aig Rèidio nan Gàidheal Diardaoin seo chaidh, is dòcha chuala cuid agaibh, agus bha mi fhìn glè thoilichte leis na thuirt Cathraiche a’ Bhùird, Ailean Dòmhnallach, air a’ phrògram sin mun na ceangalan do-sheachanta a tha eadar leasachadh is slàinte cànain feadh na dùthcha agus cothroman cosnaidh, taigheadais, misneachd, agus fèin-mheas an t- sluaigh.
‘S iomadh bliadhna bho thog Bòrd Leasachaidh na Gàidhealtachd an dearbh fheallsanachd agus ged a tha e beagan tàmailteach ann an cuid a dhòighean gum feum sinn cuimseachadh air na h-amasan sin fhathast, tha iad cho fìor an- diugh ’s a bha iad riamh a dh’aindeoin an adhartais mhòir a tha sinn air a choileanadh thar nam fichead bliadhna is còrr a chaidh. ‘S math a bhith a’ gabhail misneachd à adhartas foghlaim tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig is soirbheachadh leithid sheirbheisean craolaidh sa chànan, ach aig ceann cùise chan eil annta sin ach meadhanan cuideachaidh agus liubhairt dhan Ghàidhlig agus tha a’ cheist mhòr a thaobh co- dhiù bhios Gàidhlig a’ mairsinn beò agus a’ fàs gu neart às ùr an crochadh air an ìre gun nochd an fheadhainn aig am bheil ‘s am bi comas labhairt sa chànan an creideas ann le bhith ga chleachdadh anns a h-uile suidheachadh a ghabhas. AS THE new president of An Comunn Gaidhealach, I am very aware of the challenge which this organisation faces to maximise its contribution to the realisation of the aspirations of the National Plan for Gaelic. As a community membership body, An Comunn recognises that Gaelic’s ultimate survival depends on its use in every aspect of daily life.