Emmett McIntyre's blog

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic College, located on the Isle of Skye off Scotland’s west coast, has graduated fifty students in an October 3rd ceremony. Founded in 1973, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has become internationally recognised as a National Centre for the Gaelic language and culture.  The College is an academic partner within the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), and provides high quality education and research opportunities through the medium of Scottish Gaelic.

As recently reported by the Irish Examiner, there has been a 33% jump year to year in the number of students opting for an Irish language certificate with a corresponding increase of 28% in the number of schools offering the certificate.  The continued resurgence of the Celtic tongue of Ireland continues apace despite lack of support for the language by Dublin. Figures cited in the Examiner article show 14,172 students did the optional test, one third more than last year, and the number of schools where they were carried out is up 28% in a year to 251.

The always excellent “The Daily Wales” website is reporting under the headline “Appeal to UFEA over Sky decision to abolish Welsh language commentary” that a major  network is to scrap some of its Welsh language programming.

The global network Sky Sports has announced it will no longer offer Welsh language commentary during the broadcast of Wales football internationals.  This in turn has earned the condemnation of the Welsh Language Society (Cymdeithas Yr Laith).

"Buddy MacMaster brought Cape Breton music to the world and influenced a generation of Celtic musicians. His gift of music will live on for generations to come." – Nova Scotia Premiere Stephen McNeil

The website Herald.ie is reporting that demand for placement in Gaelic medium primary schools is overtaking capacity which has led to calls for an increase in the number of Irish language primary schools. Reporting that over 5,000 primary schoolchildren will be starting the current term in the junior infant’s level; the article quotes a spokesman for the Irish Language Schools organisation stating that waiting lists for Irish Medium Schools at the primary level are 20% oversubscribed.

“Public support for the language (Scots Gaelic) in terms of government financing, institutional provision and favourable attitudes among the Scottish population has never been greater…” - Professor Wilson McLeod

For those seeking a sober measured assessment of the state of Scots Gaelic, it is certainly worth a visit to the website “Scribd” (linked below) for a look at “ Gaelic in Contemporary Scotland: Contradictions, Challenges and Strategies”, by Wilson McLeod.   Professor McLeod has since early 2013 been the Edinburgh University’s Chair in Gaelic.

The success of the Milwaukee Irish Fest since its founding in 1981 is not letting up.  Organisers are expecting to build on last year’s record attendance with the 2014 “Scotland Music Showcase”.  This major festival has seen such success since its founding that the organisation has established permanent institutions, such as the "Irish Fest Centre" and the “Ward Irish Music Archives”.

The Gorsedh Kernow, an organisation with ancient roots and which is a driving force in the protection and promotion of Celtic culture in Cornwall, have announced that 23 individuals will be initiated as Cornish Bards.  The Western Morning News under the headline “Cornish Gorsedh Names 23 New Bards” quotes Cornwall’s Grand Bard, Maureen Fuller: “We are especially proud this year because the Government has recognised the Cornish as a distinct group under the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

The Bòrd na Gàidhlig, an organisation formed under Scotland’s the 2005 Language Act, has issued its Annual Report for 2013/2014.  The report attests to dramatic growth in Gaelic medium education showing a 6% increase in primary school and a 7% increase in secondary school enrollment.  The Bord’s report attributes the reversal in the decline of Gaelic speakers, as reported in the 2011 census, to the increases in Gaelic medium education.

Seldom does one come across a newspaper article that so poignantly touches as many of the critical elements related to the struggle of the Celtic tongue. The past, present and future of Nova Scotia Scots Gaelic are in sharp focus in an article by Francis Campbell in the Halifax “Chronicle Herald” under the headline “Inverness Area Elder Prefers ‘Taste’ of a Chat in Gaelic”.