Air Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2023, chuir Tobar an Dualchais (TAD) dà thachartas coimhearsnachd air dòigh, aon ann an Èirisgeigh agus fear eile ann am Beàrnaraigh na Hearadh. Thug Liam Alasdair Crouse, an t-oileanach PhD aca seachad òraid a bha freagairt airson gach eilean.

a. Ann an Èirisgeigh, thug Liam sùil air seanchas nan ainmean-àite ann an Èirisgeigh agus rinn e coimeas eadar na tùsan airson cuid de dh’ainmean agus na h-atharrachaidhean a thachair leotha thairis air nam bliadhnaichean. Chluich e taghadh de clàraidhean bho làrach-lìn TAD aig a bheil ceangal ri ainmean-àite Èirisgeigh. Chaidh an tachartas seo a chumail ann an Gàidhlig air fad.

Chaidh an òraid glè mhath agus bha e soilleir gun do chòrd an òraid ris na bha an làthair agus gun do phiobraich e beagan deasbaid. Bha deagh chòmhradh ann air ciall an ainm-àite Gleann an Fhir Mhòir agus air Sac na Làire Bàine, air an Staca Àrd.

Bha cuid de dhaoine a’ toirt seachad beachdan tron òraid air na bh’ aig Liam, agus iad a’ cur ris. Bha beachdan aig cuid de dhaoine a thaobh ainmean-àite, ach cha robh mòran idir air cluinntinn mu sheanchas Glaic na Còmhraig no Gleann an Fhir Mhòir. Anns an dol-seachad, fhuair Liam comharra airson grunn ainmean-àite eile ann an Èirisgeigh, cuid a nochd san rannsachadh agus air nach robh lorg aige orra cheana.

Bha Comann Eachraidh Èirisgeigh na chuideachd mòr anns an tachartas a chur air dòigh agus thug iad taic dhuinn gus fiosrachadh a sgaoileadh mu dheidhinn, an talla uallachadh, tì is cofaidh a dhèanamh, agus daoine a bhrosnachadh gus bruidhinn an dèidh na h-òraid.

Dh’fhuirich cuid airson mu leth-uair a’ còmhradh an dèidh na h-òraid. Bha 25 neach ann uile-gu-lèir.

b. Ann an Beàrnaraigh thug Liam seachad òraid air beatha Iain Peatarsan agus na clàraidhean a rinn e ann am Beàrnaraigh mar phàirt den obair a bh’ aig Iain aig Sgoil Eòlais na h-Alba. Chuich e taghadh de clàraidhean Iain bhon làrach-lìn againn mar phàirt den tachartas. Bha Liam a’ dol eadar Gàidhlig is Beurla san tachartas seo.

Bha e follaiseach gun do chòrd an òraid ris na bha an làthair agus tha Dòmhnall MacIlleathain (ball Chomainn Eachdraidh Bheàrnaraigh) ri mholadh gu mòr airson na chuir e ris an òraid, an dà chuid a thaobh eòlais phearsanta ach cuideachd ann a bhith a’ piobrachadh dhaoine eile gu bhith a’ bruidhinn air na cuimhneachain aca fhèin.

Bha mòran san èisteachd glè eòlach – fiù ’s càirdeach – ri Iain Fhionnlaigh agus Clann Shomhairle agus bha e math bruidhinn riuthasan.

Chaidh iarraidh air Liam òran a ghabhail, agus bha cofaidh, tì agus còmhradh neo-fhoirmeil ann an dèidh làimhe, fad mu uair an uaireadair. Fhuair Liam fiathachadh tilleadh air ais gus bruidhinn air cuspair eile. Bha 13 neach ann uile-gu-lèir.

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On Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2023, Tobar an Dualchais hosted two community events, one in Eriskay and one in Berneray. Liam Alasdair Crouse, their PHD student, delivered lectures that were appropriate for each island.

a. In Eriskay, Liam studied the history of the place names in Eriskay and compared the sources for some of the names to the changes that have occurred over the years. He played a number of recordings from the Tobar an Dualchais website which had a connection with Eriskay place names. This event was held entirely in Gaelic.

The lecture went well and it was well received by all in attendance, and it inspired some debate. There was a great discussion over the meaning of Gleann an Fhir Mhòir and Sac na Làire Bàine, on Stac Àrd. The audience contributed to the lecture and had some opinions on place names although some had never heard of the history of Glaic na Còmhraig or Gleann an Fhir Mhòir. Liam was made aware of more place names, some which had already appeared in the research and some which hadn’t been heard of.

The Eriskay Historical Society were a great help in organising the event and helped in marketing, preparing the hall, making tea and coffee and encouraging people to speak after the lecture. Most stayed for about half an hour after the lecture. 25 people attended.

b. In Berneray Liam delivered a lecture on Iain Peterson and the recordings he made in Berneray as part of his work at the School of Scottish Studies. He played a selection of Iain’s recordings from the Tobar an Dualchais website. Liam went between Gaelic and English in this event for the benefit of the attendees. 

The lecture was very well received and Donald Maclean (a member of the Berneray Historical Society) is worthy of praise for his contribution to the lecture, both in speaking of his own personal experience and in encouraging others to share their own memories. A lot of the audience were familiar with (or related to) Iain Finlay and clan Sorley and it was great to hear from them.

Liam was asked to sing a song and people stayed for tea, coffee and informal chat for about an hour after the lecture. Liam was then invited to deliver another lecture in future. 13 people attended.