An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Gaidheal > Volume 24, October 1928--September 1929

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AN GAIDHEAL.
An Damhar, 1928.
Ach is e am feabhas a thainig air na
comhfbarpuisich a tha ’n a aobhar taingeal-
achd. Tha saothair luchd teagaisg na seinn
a’ giiilan toraidh. Tha sin ri fhaicinn anns
an aireamh de choisirean a tha a’ tighinn
o ’n diithaich. Tha iad sin a’ nochdadh na
seann dbigh agus an t-seann spioraid. Tha
so ’n a bhuannachd, ged nach biodh na
coisirean duthchail cho innealta an seinn ri
coisirean a’ bhaile mh6ir. Mar dhearbhadh
gu bheil alt na seinn air tighinn gu staid
aird, thubhairt Raibeart Macleoid gur i so
a cheud bhliadhna a fhuair e misneach aig
M6d gu bhi a’ tabhairt breith ar reir nan
riaghailtean is airde a thaobh luchd-seinn.
Is e sin ri rkdh, gus a so nach tuigeadh na
seinneidearan ciod e bhiodh e ag radh; ach
a nis tha iad air fas cho eolach agus
tuigseach air alt na seinn agus gun tuig iad
comhairle mu mhearachdan beaga do nach
mothaich an sluagh. Thug am breitheamh
so fiannuis gu bheil seinn na Gaidhlig aig
a’ Mhbd, a cheart cho fada air aghart, ri
seinn a chluinnear aig f&sdean ciiiil an aite
sam bith feadh na rloghachd.
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THE MOD OF 1928.
The National Mod of 1928, which was held
at Inverness from the 26th to the 29th of
September, has been one of the best ever
held under the auspices of An Comunn.
The four days’ proceedings were character¬
ised by sustained enthusiasm. Seldom have
the competitions, even in larger towns, been
listened to by bigger audiences. The various
counties of the north were well represented
both by competitors and by visitors to the
Mod. Much of the success of the occasion
was due to the cordiality with which the
Mod was received by the Magistrates, Town
Council, and the inhabitants generally.
The speeches of the Provost, and the
hospitality of the Provost and Council,
made the officials of An Comunn realise the
cordiality of the welcome. Everyone seemed
to feel “at home,” and that surely was a
great satisfaction to all who came from far
and near. We have noticed that the com¬
petitors caught the glow. There was a fine
spirit pervading the competitions. The
period of preparation during the year was a
busy time for the local Committee, who
acquitted themselves with great credit. In
some important directions they have broken
the record. An Comunn owes them great
gratitude for having put such energy into
the work. The accommodation, both in
regard to halls and to hotels, was all that
could be wished. We are indebted to The
Inverness Courier, The Chronicle, Oban
Times, and The Highland News for the full
reports they gave of the proceedings.
TUESDAY.
The first day was devoted to the Junior
Section. The Gaelic adjudicators were Rev.
Alex. Macdonald, M.A., Alloa, and Rev.
Donald Lamont, M.A., Blair Atholl, who
were assisted in making their awards by the
music assessors—Mr. Robert Macleod,
Mus.Bac., Edinburgh, and Mr. D. T.
Yacamini. The judges of the Oral Competi¬
tions were Mr. Angus Macdonald, H.M.I.S.,
and Miss Annie I. Macmillan, M.A.,
Glasgow. Rev. Neil Maclellan, Rev. Alex.
Boyd, Captain William Mackay, Mr. Murdo
Morrison, Mr. Roderick Macleod, and Mr.
J. D. M. Black presided at the different
sessions. Owing to exigencies of space, it
has been found necessary to postpone the
publication of the Mod Musical and Literary
Prize Lists till November. The competitions
among the children are very important.
When one sees the keenness and earnest¬
ness of the rising generation, one feels that
a new lease of life is being given to Gaelic
speech and song. These children will never
forget what they have grasped; and the
probabilities are that many of them will
catch and retain the Mod spirit. That is
the earnest for the future of the language.
At least, so we dare to hope. It is for parents
and teachers to foster that spirit, which is
not only patriotic, but educational as well.
Attendance by school children at Mods now
counts for school attendance. A Children’s
Concert was held in the evening. The Lady
Elspeth Campbell, who presided, made an
excellent speech, impressing on the children
the beauty and value of the speech and
music of their fathers.
WEDNESDAY.
Official Opening Ceremony.
The official opening of the proceedings
took place in the Central Wesleyan Hall on
Wednesday at noon, in presence of a large
and distinguished gathering. Sheriff Mac-
master Campbell, president of An Comunn,
occupied the chair. Members of the
Inverness Town Council and prominent
people connected with the Gaelic movement
also occupied seats on the platform or in its
vicinity. The proceedings were opened by
the Rev. Alexander Boyd, M.A., of St.
Mary’s Gaelic Parish Church, Inverness,
engaging in prayer in Gaelic.