Naidheachd
News
Great performances at our annual storytellers event. On behalf of the Board of Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àrd-bhaile, many thanks to our storytellers; Kathleen Reddy, Glen MacDonald, Lewis MacKinnon, Alexa Kirste and Joe Murphy, the GaelForce Choir from Kentville, Kate Dunlay & David Greenberg, Blaise Theriault, Zach Smith and our many volunteers. We appreciated the donations to the silent auction and the enthusiasm for purchasing items from it. We had a large and appreciative audience. The volunteer efforts of many are keeping our Gaelic traditions alive.
To see photos of the 2015 Na Sgeulaichean event, visit our Facebook page.
To see photos of the flag-raising for Gaelic Awareness Month, visit our Facebook page.
Friday 20 June – Monday 23 June 2014
10am – 4pm
This will be a four-day immersion weekend, a chance to put to practice your kitchen Gaelic – the everyday language you would use in the home, at work, with friends.
Build confidence by using the language you have already learned – with visits to the local farmers’ market; coffee shop; nearby park. The class will prepare lunch together every day with a focus on traditional dishes. There will be plenty of opportunity to build vocabulary and to work on grammar basics – with an emphasis on verbs and prepositions.
Activities will be conducted in Gaelic using the Gàidhlig aig Baile teaching method. All levels welcome. Cost for workshop including lunch and srupag: $125
For more information, and to register please contact Laura Stirling at laurastirling@eastlink.ca
About thirty people enjoyed a wonderfully informative and energetic presentation on the history of the Gaelic harp at the woodlawn Public library. Award-winning Canadian harp player Alys Howe who divides her time between classical pedal harp, Celtic lever har and explorations into the developing field of electric harp shared her knowledge trhough live and reocrded music. Attendees were invited to try to play the harp at the end of the program.
News Release
May 1, 2014
Na Sgeulaichean (“The Storytellers”)
Gaelic Storytellers Converge at St. Agnes Catholic Church Auditorium to deliver a rare performance
(Halifax, NS) – The ancient Gaelic custom of spinning riveting tales comes alive in a rare performance Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 7pm. Gaelic storytellers Lewis MacKinnon, Donnie MacDonald, Shay MacMullin, Kathleen Reddy, Beth Anne MacEachern, Doug MacDonald and Glen MacDonald will each present a favourite story to the audience. English translation will occur for audience members not fluent in Gaelic.
The Gaelic culture of Nova Scotia is renowned for its oral storytelling traditions, and storytellers are held in high regard in Gaelic communities throughout the province. With a rich legacy of tales composed hundreds or even thousands of years ago, as well as stories written up to the present day, Gaelic storytellers are exceptional entertainers who traditionally could hold an audience spell-bound for hours.
Na Sgeulaichean is a unique way to experience a much-loved Gaelic tradition throughout Nova Scotia. The evening will also highlight other aspects of the Gaelic culture by way of the fiddle music of Kate Dunlay and her husband David Greenberg, Blaise Theriault and Cailean MacLean on Highland pipes, and Gaelic singing. The evening concluding with a silent auction and a few songs at the milling table.
This all ages event is being held in part to celebrate Gaelic Awareness Month, which takes place in the month of May. For more information or to reserve tickets, you may contact Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àrd-bhaile by phoning 902-869-5677, or emailing halifaxgaelic@gmail.com.
Tickets are ten dollars, with all proceeds directed to Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àrd-Bhaile, a non-profit society providing Gaelic language classes in the Halifax area.
Media contact:
Norma MacLean
902-869-5677
Date: May 27th
Place: St. Agnes Church Hall in Halifax
Time: 7:00 pm
Featuring: Songs, Tales, Milling Frolic, Silent Auction
All are welcome.
Date: April 29th 2014
Place: 11:30 am
Time: Grand Parade, Halifax City Hall
Laura Stirling, co-chair of Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àrd-bhaile, welcomed the group and Joe Murphy led the singing of O Canada in Gaelic. Tonya Lundrigan Fry brought greetings from Comhairle na Gàidhlig and Lewis MacKinnon, Executive Director of OGA, offered his appreciation for the work done by Sgoil Ghàidhlig. Alexa Kirste, a student at An Dùn (Citadel High), read the proclamation in Gaelic and Norma MacLean,co-chair Sgoil Ghàidhlig, read comments from Mayor Savage and thanked the crowd for attending. Lily Gillis played the bagpipes and Jim Gillis took these photos of the event.
Enjoy the tradition of a milling frolic with Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àrd-bhaile (Gaelic Language Society of Halifax) as we demonstrate the tradition of shrinking newly woven wool as it came off the loom. Gaelic songs are sung in rhythm as the cloth is pounded on the table. Today the milling frolic is performed for enjoyment as families can participate in Gaelic singing and meet Gaelic singers. Srùbag (tea and oatcakes) provided.
Tantallon
Sat, May 10 / 2 p.m.
Dartmouth North
Sat, May 17 / 2:30 p.m.
Keshen Goodman
Sat, May 31 / 2:30 p.m.
Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àrd-bhaile will hold its annual general meeting on November 14, 2013 at 7:00 pm in the Sobey's meeting room on Larry Uteck Blvd. All are welcome to attend.
The Gaelic flag rose to a prominent position on the balcony of Northwood on the Harbour on Monday, May 27. Commuters travelling to downtown Halifax will see our flag flanked by the Nova Scotia flag, Canada flag and Union Jack as they exit the Macdonald bridge and continue on North Street.
The ceremony and celebration marked the end of fifteen weeks of Gaelic language and culture sessions with reBoom, the community centre at Northwood. Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àrd-bhaile applied to Comhairle na Gàidhlig for a seniors’ grant which they had received through New Horizons, a federal program. The purpose of the program is to promote volunteerism among seniors and other generations, to engage seniors in the community through the mentoring of others, and to support he social participation and inclusion of seniors.
As the large crowd gathered, Leanne Aucoin entertained with some lively strathespeys , jigs and reels. The dignitaries were piped to the podium by Barry Shears. Jennifer Wadden, Senior Advisor to the Minister of National Defence, Peter MacKay, brought remarks on his behalf. Lewis MacKinnon, Executive Director, Office of Gaelic Affairs, spoke on behalf of Minister Maurice Smith and HRM Councillor Jennifer Watts, brought greetings from HRM. Shay MacMullin, facilitator of the program at reBoom, spoke to the strengths and success of the program. Natasha Handspkier, Recreation Manager at reBoom was the MC.
Following the raising of the flag, the audience enjoyed a cake decorated with the Gaelic flag, traditional Cape Breton oatcakes, Bouladerie biscuits and tea and coffee. Many joined in for a few milling songs to complete the day.
You are cordially invited to the Annual General Meeting of Sgoil Ghàidhlig An Àrd-bhaile (Gaelic Language Society of Halifax) on Thursday, October 4 at 7:00 pm in the community room of Sobeys Lacewood Drive in Clayton Park. Payment of your registration fee includes membership to the Society.
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Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àrd Bhaile gratefully recognizes the support of the Province of Nova Scotia through the Office of Gaelic Affairs. We are pleased to work in co-operation with the Office of Gaelic Affairs to develop and promote Gaelic resources for all Nova Scotians.