An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Gaidheal > Volume 42, October 1946--September 1947

Am Faoilteagh. 1947.
AN GAIDHEAL.
51
the community and particularly to the Branch and the
Gaelic Choir. Mr. Farquhar MacRae, Vice-President, repre¬
sented An Comunn, and during the cou.se of the evening
referred to Mr. Macpherson’s long association with An Comunn.
He had been a member for 40 years and served for 20 years
on the Executive Council. He was for a period a V:ce-Presi¬
dent of the Association and was for four years Convener of the
Publication Committee. The services rendered by Mr. Mac-
pherson to the cause for which An Comunn stands were highly
appreciated bv the members.
The Campbeltown Courier of 7th December contained very
full reports of this meeting of the Branch, and also of the
tributes paid to Mr. Macpherson by the Presbytery of Kintyre,
and by leading citizens in the community at a Lunch given
in his honour by the Presbytery.
The good wishes of a host of friends will follow Mr. and Mrs.
Macpherson from Campbeltown where they spent so many
happy years.
PROPAGANDA NOTES.
Northern Area.
Tour in Skye.— From 11th to 16th November
the Organiser was engaged in Skye. The Strath and Dunvegan
Branches were re-constituted. At Broadford it was encourag¬
ing to receive a request that the meeting should be conducted
entirely in Gaelic, and the same request was made to the
Organiser at Dunvegan. Both meetings were successful, and
we wish the new office-bearers and committees every success
in their efforts to further the cause of our language and music.
An effort was made to have a meeting at Kilmuir but this
proved unsuccessful.
Comunn na h-Oigridh.—The Organiser also visited
a -number of the schools, and the following additions
were made to the membership of Comunn na h-Oigridh :—
Broadford .. 18
Dunan .. 7
Staffin.. .. ' 10
Kilmaluag .. 5
Kilmuir .. f>
MacDiarmid School 7
Bernisdale
Loch Bay
Knockbreck
Struan
Carbost
Port n
This shows a total of 198 new enrolments. A supply of
badges was left with the Ceann Feachd at Portree, and he will
enrol additional members in due course.
Broadford Ceilidh. — Mr. MacPhail presided at
an all-Gaelic Ceilidh at Broadford on Friday, 15th November,
and in addition to local talent, a number of dialogues and
sketches were given by members from Portree Feachd. These
were admirably done and reflect great credit on the children
and their teachers. Singers from the outlying areas also
contributed to the Ceilidh programme.
Skye Provincial Mod.—On Saturday, 16th November,
the Organiser attended a meeting of the Skye
Provincial Mod Committee, when it was unanimously decided
to hold a local Mod next year, provided An Comunn can supply
a Gaelic Music Teacher. The Very Rev. Dr. Norman MacLean
resigned the post of President owing to advancing years, and,
on his suggestion, Colonel Iain MacDonald of Viewfield was
appointed in his stead. Mr. Iain F. Steele, M.A., continues as
Hon. Secretary, and there is a representative committee from
all over the Island. If a Music Teacher can be provided, there
is no reason why a very successful Mod should not be held at
Portree next year. The dates suggested are 24th and 25th
June.
Dornoch. — After a day at the office, the Organiser
proceeded to Sutherland, and on Tuesday, 19th November,
addressed a meeting at Dornoch. Thereafter the local Branch
was re-formed, with Mr. John MacLean as President and Mr.
Calum MacDonald and Mrs. Hector Munro as Joint-
Secretaries. It is hoped to hold monthly meetings of the
Branch throughout the session.
Helmsdale. — On the following night the Organiser
was at Helmsdale, when it was unanimously decided to re¬
constitute the local Branch. Dr. Gray was elected President,
and Mrs. M. C. Ross continues as Hon. Secretary. Dr. Gray,
by the way, took up the study of Gaelic some three years ago
and now reads and writes the language tolerably well.
Brora.—Mr. David Grant, who has been a tower
of strength to the Gaelic Movement in Brora, is shortly going
to Canada, but he intends to continue with his labours until
his sailing date is known. At the moment he is endeavouring
to start a Senior Gaelic Choir, and we wish him all success in
his efforts.
Lairg.—At a meeting held at Lairg on Thursday,
21st November, it was unanimously decided to re-constitute
the local Branch. Mr William Grant, Head Postmaster, is
President, and Mr. R. D. MacDonald is Hon. Secretary.
Sutherland Mod. — Efforts are being made to
hold a Mod or Mods in Sutherland next year, and a meeting of
Branch representatives is to be held in December to consider
this matter. Branches will be notified of this meeting in due
course.
Comunn na h-Oigridh Camp.—On Saturday, 23rd
November, Mr. John MacKay and the Organiser visited
Inverailort in connection with next year’s Comunn na
h-Oigridh Camp, and their report will come before Clann an
Fhraoich Committee at an early date.
Uist Tour. — An itinerary for the Uists has been
arranged, and a report of this visit wi1! appear in the next
THE GAELIC LANGUAGE.
The Basques claim their language is so difficult that the
devil has never been able to learn it. Gaels say that their
language was spoken in Eden and that His Satanic Majesty
was quite unable to learn to speak it in order to beguile Mother
Eve until he had obtained the assistance of Vulcan, the smith
of Infernus.
OLD TRADITION.
Ar dtiis i n-Eden, do cualadh ceol,
A’s canamhna binne Gaedhealach’,
’Nuair sheinn Jubal ar a phib-mhoir.
Da rinneadh as bian beag caorach.
Deirtear ni feidir le Diabhal Mor,
Do mhealladh daoine ’san nGaedhilg mbmn,
Go leadugh’ Culann a theangadh do,
Ar inneoin sar-theintigh an ifrinn.
Brave music first in Eden was heard,
And those wondrous Gaelic accents sweet,
When Jubal played a dudelsack,
Made from the skin of a Keltic sheep.
They say the Great Tempter was unable.
In Gaelic to decive people so well.
Till Vulcan had flattened his tongue.
On the fiery anvil of hell.
Note.—Culann (Ashes) a ‘ kenning ’ for the God of War
and Death symbolized by the setting sun—like the Phoenix,
the young Sun-god is born from the ashes of the old god :
life is born from death : day from night; hence, perhaps, the
origin of the idea of reincarnation. Culann was the Smith of
lorruaidhe (Ire Ruith, Land of Flood Tide) also called Inis
Tuile (Flood Isle), the Ultima Thule of the Romans, now
Iceland, which was occupied by Gaels before the advent of the
Vikings. The Forge of Culann was Sliabh h-Ealga (Sacred
Mountain), now known as Hekla. The Achilles of the Gaels—
Cuchulainn—was, as his name indicates, a devotee of Culann.
Gleaxn Comhann.
Na h-Uiscl Suile,
La Briain, 1946.
; —- :
Beul a labhras, ach gniomh a dhearbhas—The mouth speaks,
but the deed proves.