Local Mod on Mull

The Mishnish hotel is proud to support the local Isle of Mull choir and the local mod.

The isle of Mull gaelic choir regularly entertain guests in the Mishnish hotel through the summer months.

Your can be sure of a good ceilidh at the Mishnish during the Local mod.

Whats more the local Mod is now held over 2 days

New Song Competition to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Mull Mòd The Mull Mòd will celebrate it’s 70th anniversary this year.

To mark the occasion the committee are introducing a New Song Competition - Ò ran Ù r do Mhuile.

Following the success of last years 2-day event this format will continue with Juniors competing on Friday 12th September and Seniors on Saturday 13th September.

The syllabus and entry forms along with online payment facilities are available on the website www.mullmod.org.uk.

The new song competition will have 4 categories; Category 1 - Youth (U18) Music to lyrics provided Category 2 - Adult (18+) Music to lyrics provided Category 3 - Youth (U18) Music & lyrics Category 4 - Adult (18+) Music & lyrics. The committee have provided some traditional poems for two of the categories to encourage entries from those not necessarily fluent in the language. The lyrics, translations and sound files can be found on our website www.mullmod.org.uk.

GAELIC SONG WRITING WORKSHOP

A song writing workshop is scheduled for Saturday 17th May in Salen Hotel. The workshops will be led by Alasdair Codona and Malcolm Munro (Meantime) and will cost £35 per person (including lunch) for 2 x 2 hour workshops starting at 10am. This will be followed by a Ceilidh with the tutors in the evening. Bookings for the workshop must be made by 10th May and forms can be found on the website or by contacting Riona Whyte on 01680 300551.

Link to Junior Mod Syllabus

Link to Senior Mod Syllabus

Some history - courtesy of the Local Mod web site

On 16th December 1937, the local branches of An Comunn Gaidhealach, of which there were many, met to discuss the possibility of holding a Provincial Mòd in Mull. It was decided to organise an event for the following year and every year there after based on a circuit of the villages of Tobermory, Salen and Bunessan. The first Provincial Mòd was held in Tobermory on the 14th June 1938. Gaelic, at that time, was spoken throughout the island and over 100 entries were received for the Mòd including choirs from Bunessan, Lochdon, Pennyghael, Salen, Tobermory and the island of Coll.

  Mòd Ionadach na Dreòlluinn encourages the use and development of the Gaelic language and music through voice, choral, oral and instrumental competitions. Local residents and visitors alike are thrilled to hear the Gaelic language brought to life through ancient and modern songs and bardachd (poetry) and also the use of the language in conversation. The Mòd is not just a competitive event it is a social gathering for all those interested in the language and music. A large number of those attending do so just as a member of the audience and many local residents have described the local Mòd as their big day out!

Ten years ago, due to clashes with other Mòds in the area, the committee took the then controversial decision to change the date of the local Mòd from June to September. This decision has proved to be very successful attracting competitors from all over the country. As the Royal National Mòd takes place annually in October, it gives competitors a final chance to receive constructive criticism for their pieces. The date has been fixed as the second Saturday in September and has established itself as one of the best local Mòds on the circuit. Indeed, we now have a waiting list for adjudicators desperate to add the Mull & Iona Provincial Mòd to their CVs. Over the past few years, the venue for Mòd Ionadach na Dreòlluinn, has had to remain in Tobermory. As many travel from the mainland, Tobermory has good transport links and enough accommodation to cope with the numbers attending. A restaurant on the main street told a member of the committee that it was their busiest day of the season!

In 2007, thanks to an "Awards for All" grant, Mòd Ionadach na Dreòlluinn held their annual event over 2 days with children competing on Friday 7th and adults on Saturday 8th September. The Mull Mòd has been growing in popularity since their change of date from June to September 10 years ago, especially in the senior section. The junior section has attracted a steady number of competitors but, as a one day event held on the Saturday, schools find it difficult to participate due to availability of teaching and support staff. The committee decided that in 2007, the year of Highland Culture, it would be the ideal time to trial a two day event to encourage schools and clubs to enter. This proved to be a great success with many of the local schools participating and 2008 will see the continuation of a 2 day event.