Skye poet becomes new Mòd Bard
The Royal National Mòd has appointed its new bard. Celebrated Gaelic poet Rody Gorman has been awarded the historic literature honour in recognition of his significant contribution to the Gaelic literary world.
Born in Dublin and now living on the Isle of Skye, Rody has enjoyed a prolific career, with dozens of Gaelic literary translations and original collections of poetry in Scottish Gaelic, Irish and English, to his name.
Rody lectures in creative writing, edits the annual bilingual anthology of contemporary Gaelic poetry An Guth, and has been awarded numerous writing fellowships and residencies, including writing fellow at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and convenor of the Translation and Linguistic Rights Committee of Scottish PEN.
Rody is the 57th recipient of the Bardic award, which was first awarded almost 100 years ago in 1923. The Skye-based writer takes over from outgoing bard Sandaidh NicDhòmhnaill Jones, who held the role for two years after last year’s Mòd was unable to go ahead in person.
Rody said: 'I am greatly honoured to have been awarded the position of bard of the Comunn Gàidhealach in recognition of my work over the years. I am conscious and proud that in doing so I’m following in the footsteps of so many others, including Donald Macintyre, Mary Maclean, Angus Peter Campbell, Myles Campbell, Catriona Montgomery and Aonghas MacNeacail, not to mention the office-bearer in 1935, Donald Grant of Camuscross, where I have lived for more than 30 years. While in office I hope to promote Gaelic poetry and produce relevant work.'