Youngsters from Paisley Gaelic Choir fought off stiff competition to bag first prize at a national event.
The Royal National Mòd – Scotland’s celebration of Gaelic language, culture and heritage – has been taking place in Oban, Argyll this week.
Thousands of competitors and attendees have taken part in over 200 planned competitions and a diverse fringe programme of concerts, exhibitions, children’s activities and talks. On Monday, a host of activities and competitions primarily for young people and learners were staged.
Youngsters compteted in a number of events, including the junior choirs competitions while the coveted junior solo singing titles were up for grabs.
In the Choral Unison Learner Under-13s competition, Còisir Ghàidhlig Fèis Phàislig won overall, taking home the Donald and Mamie MacPhail Trophy, as well as the Darlington Society Silver Jubilee Trophy for the highest marks in Gaelic.
And the local choir’s success has put Paisley and Renfrewshire back on the Gaelic map once again.
A choir spokesperson said: “We are so proud of our Gaelic choir who won first prize in the Unison section at the Royal National Mòd in Oban. They have been working hard with choir leader, Mairi McGillivray, over the last few months and have done the Fèis and Renfrewshire proud.”
The Royal National Mòd was previously held in Paisley in 2013 and returned to the town last year. The event generated a £1.7million economic boost to Paisley when it was hosted last October.
An economic impact report for the prestigious 131-year-old event was carried out by Glamis Consultancy on behalf of organisers An Comunn Gàidhealach.
Around 8,410 attendees of all ages travelled from across Scotland to Paisley for nine days of competitions, concerts, workshops and more across 20 venues – a 12 per cent increase in participant numbers from the previous year’s festival in Perth.
The event – the first National Mòd to be held in Paisley in 10 years – supported around 27 full-time equivalent jobs in the economy, brought economic benefits to other areas, including Glasgow, through accommodation and other expenditure, and generated £390,000 of potential future visitor spend from those returning to the town as a result of the Mòd, the report found.
It was financially worthwhile for investors with Renfrewshire Council getting out 11 times what they put in and Bord na Gàidhlig 14 times the amount invested.
And the soundtrack, Fàilte gu Pàislig (Welcome to Paisley), composed by Alan Murray, was named the official theme tune for the 2023 event after a competition that attracted some of Scotland’s best musical talent.
The piece served as a warm welcome to Paisley and Renfrewshire and paid tribute to the ever-growing Gaelic arts and traditional music scene in the area.
Feis Pàislig had earlier tasked Alan and his competitors with composing a piece of music which captured the energy and passion of the Mòd but also showcased their unique musical style.
Alan’s lively jig – which reflects the excitement surrounding the Mòd’s return to Paisley – was chosen by a distinguished panel of judges, including renowned Scottish traditional musicians Alistair Paterson, Jenna Reid, and Scott Wood.
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