Inverness Cultarlann enjoys double first as Irish cousins broadcast from new Gaelic centre
The Gaelic cultural centre in Inverness celebrated its first radio broadcast last week when Gael cousins from Belfast presented a two-hour live show from the Highland capital.
The team from Raidió Fáilte normally broadcasts to the Greater Belfast area on digital, while their Online service is available to listeners around the world.
As Inverness is home to Scotland’s first and only Cultarlann, the first live broadcast is being hailed as ‘a double-first’.
While programme presenters spoke in Irish Gaelige the guests spoke Scottish Gaelic - the two dialects being close enough that they could - mostly - understand each other.
The two-hour programme from the centre of Inverness was dedicated to examining the purpose and progress of Cultarlann Inbhir NIs.
The iconic -250 year old - Cultarlann building is currently being redeveloped to accommodate concerts, ceilidhs, Gaelic tutoring at all levels, meetings and cultural events that support and promote the area’s Gaelic heritage.
While Scotland is getting its first Cultarlann, Northern Ireland alone has three Cultarlainn (corr), with more again across the Irish Republic.
’Cultarlann Inbhir Nis is such a fantastic project’, said Raidió Fáilte, Station Manager, Cillian Breatnach. ‘It will transform Gaelic culture and awareness in Inverness and the Highlands. The building is brilliant and has huge potential as it is developed. The acoustics are amazing. We are delighted that Raidió Fáilte did the first broadcast from the first Cultarlann in Scotland.
‘Like everything good in this world, the local community is heavily involved in bringing this development to fruition. Every big town or city in Scotland should have a Cultarlann.’
Séimí Mac Aindreasa presented much of the Inverness radio special. He is also Community Engagement Officer for Raidió Fáilte.
‘In Belfast, the Cultarlann pulls people together and gives them focus on the language and the culture and the arts’, Séimí said.
‘We found that a Cultarlann also brings Gaelige to the attention of the non-Gaelige speaking community…people who think Gaelige has nothing to do with them. .they see the Cultarlann building and it raises their interest and awareness because there is a physical gathering place where the culture is represented and tangible.
‘For the capital of the Highlands to have Scotland’s first Cultarlann is right , and I think it should inspire other cities in Scotland.’
Pól Mac Cana is a Board member with Raidió Fáilte. ‘Cultarlann Inbhir Nis is a listed building and the architect (Inverness-based, Calum Maclean) spoke to us about the challenge of designing something new that also maintains the historic richness of the building. The building has fantastic potential, it’s amazing looking and has great acoustics.
‘When we walked in for the first time we just thought ‘wow’….it is outstanding.
‘In Belfast, the Cultarlann does a lot to unite people through language and culture and arts and it will be the same here in Inverness’ , Pól added.
Cultarlann Inbhir Nis, Board Member, Murdo Campell said, ‘The Gaels in Scotland and the Gaels in Ireland share a common language. The Gaels in Ireland are our cultural cousins. It was exciting and inspirational to learn from their experience with Cultarlainn (corr) in Northern Ireland and it was exciting to get our first broadcast from the building.’
