Irish Gaelic group Aonach Mhacha to build friendship with Inverness-based Cultarlann Inbhir Nis
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An Inverness Gaelic group was happy to host visitors from a multimillion-pound landmark arts, language and Irish cultural facility.
Cultarlann Inbhir Nis welcomed Gearòid O Machail, the manager of Aonach Mhacha, and a team of his young staff to build friendship and share some of their experience.
The team included language development officer Cèit Ni Choirbhìn, arts and events organiser Shannon Ni Chlèirigh and business enterprise officer Niamh Ni Mhodhra.
The group took part in a guided walk with Ruairidh Maclean hearing Inverness stories from the Gaelic tradition, enjoyed some Scottish Gaelic lessons with local tutor Susanne MacDonald, participated in a tour of Culloden Battlefield and then delivered a series of presentations to a full hall.
Their presentations were described as “truly inspiring” and explained how the Cultùrlann was developed, how they raised the
£2.3 million it cost to build, and the extensive range of activities they run for the local community.
They also described the wider social and economic impact of the project. Musical entertainment was provided by local musicians Calum Alex MacMillan, Coll MacDonald, Saffron Hanvidge and Luìseach Ni Threinfhir.
Mairead Mulholland, from the board of Cultarlann Inbhir Nis, said: “It was a great pleasure to be able to host the Aonach Mhacha team and to have the opportunity to learn from their experience.
“It has been so helpful to hear about how they funded and built their Cultùrlann but also about how they are using their centre to create jobs, regenerate a run-down part of Armagh, in addition to boosting the Irish language and cultural tourism to the area.”
Gearòid O Machail said: “We hope that our example will be able to inspire people in the Highlands to see what is possible for the language and culture. We look forward to coming back to Inverness.”
