MacKinnon to take part in Eilean an Àigh
We note that Nova Scotia Gaelic poet Lewis MacKinnon (we should say Lodaidh MacFhionghain) will be participating in the second annual Eilean an Àigh: Gaelic Folkways Festival and Summer Institute, in Orwell, PEI, next month (August 26-27).
In addition to introducing keynote speaker, Dr. Lillis Ó Laoire of National University of Ireland, Galway, Lewis (Famhair agus dàin Ghàidhlig eile / Giant and other Gaelic poems and Rudan Mì-bheanailteach is an Cothroman, Dàin : Intangible Possibilities, Poems; CBU Press 2008, 2011 respectively) will be taking part in workshops and performing in the concert. He will also officiate as Executive Director of Nova Scotia’s Office of Gaelic Affairs.
An accomplished poet, singer and musician, Lodaidh held the title of Scotland’s Gaelic bard for four years (2011-2015), the first non-Scot to hold that honorific.
Also on the agenda, Michael Linkletter (Fògradh, Fàisneachd, Filidheachd / Parting, Prophecy, Poetry) is giving a talk entitled “The Gaelic newspaper Mac-Talla and Gaelic networks in the Maritimes.” Michael is Chair of Celtic Studies at St. FX.
Hosted by long-time friend and supporter of CBU Press, Tiber Falzett (Institute of Island Studies UPEI), Eilean an Àigh will consist of workshops and events for people interested in learning about Prince Edward Island’s rich Scottish Gaelic cultural inheritance, once forming the majority mother-tongue of many Island communities less than a century ago, alongside living Gaelic traditions from Cape Breton, Ireland and Scotland.