Air Seachdain na Gàidhlig, le taic bho Mhaoin nan Tabhartas Beag (Bòrd na Gàidhlig), bha oidhche aig Fèis Arainn far an do sheinn Deirdre Ghreamach cuid de na h-òrain Gàidhlig Arainneach le cùl-taic air a’ ghiotàr bho Findlay Napier is thug an t-eachdraiche ionadail Alistair Paul seachad fiosrachadh mun na sgeulachdan air cùl nan òran.

Bha an tachartas gu math soirbheachail. Bha barrachd san luchd èisteachd na bha an dùil (64) agus bha an ais-mholadh a fhuair sin bho na daoine a bha an làthair air leth math. A thuilleadh air a bhith a’ faighinn tlachd às a’ chuirm thuirt gu leòr dhiubh gun robh iad air tòrr ionnsachadh mu dhualchas Gàidhlig an eilein nach b’ aithne dhaibh roimhe. Bha e math a bhith a’ faicinn daoine aig diofar aoisean bho gach cheàrn dhen eilean an làthair. Ghabh luchd ciùil òga pàirt san tachartas is iad a’ cluich cuid de cheòl dùthchail an eilein is thug sin dhaibh cothrom ceanglaichean a neartachadh eadar ginealach ùr is dualchas an àite.

Chaidh clàradh a dhèanamh dhen oidhche a bhios ri fhaotainn air loidhne mar dòigh gus luchd-èisteachd nas fharsainge a ruighinn agus gus am bi goireas ri fhaotainn san ùine fhada do dhuine sam bith aig a bheil ùidh sa chuspair.

Thog an tachartas aithne mu luach dualchas Gàidhlig an eilein am measg muinntir an àite, cuid a tha mar-tha a’ gabhail pàirt ann an gnìomhan Gàidhlig is cuid eile nach eil. Thug an tachartas stuth nach deach èisteachd ris fad ùine mhòir gu bith às ùr agus bidh an clàradh a rinneadh air na ghoireas fheumail san àm ri teachd. Thugadh don òigridh a ghabh pàirt ann cothrom beagan eòlais a chur air dualchas an eilein.

//

On Seachdain na Gàidhlig, with support from the Small Grants Fund (Bòrd na Gàidhlig), Fèis Arainn held an evening where Deirdre Graham sang songs from Arran with accompaniment from Findlay Napier, and local historian Alistair Paul gave information on the songs’ history.

The event was hugely successful. The audience was bigger than anticipated (64) and the feedback was excellent. As well as saying they enjoyed the event, a good number said they had learned a lot about the island’s Gaelic heritage they were not aware of before. It was excellent to see people of all ages from across the island. A group of young folk performed local music which allowed for strengthening of ties between the young generation and the heritage of the area.

A recording was taken which is available online as a way of reaching more people and making the resource accessible to anyone interested in the subject.

The event raised awareness in local folk of the Gaelic heritage of the area, some who already take part in Gaelic activities and some who don’t. It also brought to the surface material that had not been heard for a long time, which will be invaluable in future. The youth received an opportunity to learn a little about the island’s heritage.