Mod coverage on BBC Alba
BBC ALBA will broadcast daily programmes from this year’s Royal National Mòd in Inverness.
The Mòd, organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, is the Gaelic community’s most prestigious festival celebrating cultural heritage, Gaelic language, music and arts.
Produced by BBC Gàidhlig and presented by Cathy MacDonald, BBC ALBA will be broadcasting five programmes showcasing the best of the festival from Monday 13 to Friday 17 October.
The run of shows includes live coverage of one of the most prestigious moments of the festival – Thursday’s Traditional Gold Medal Final for singing.
Radio nan Gàidheal will also be at the Mòd to provide live broadcasts of many of the week’s events – including the ever-popular Mire ri Mòir cèilidh on Friday at 10am – and live coverage of the Rural Choirs on Thursday from 1.30pm.
The choirs will be competing for the Lorn Shield and the Sheriff MacMaster Campbell Memorial Quaich and BBC ALBA will also feature the choir winners on the same evening. Radio listeners will also be able to enjoy the evening TV programmes. All week, other than the Wednesday evening, the shows will be broadcast simultaneously on both TV and Radio services.
The latest news, interviews and regular updates throughout the week will also be provided for viewers and listeners with news teams from An Là on BBC ALBA and Aithris na Maidne and Aithris an Fheasgair on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal reporting from across the festival.
The BBC ALBA programmes include:
- Monday 13, 10.00pm – 11.30pm: Cathy MacDonald presents highlights from the first day of the Children's Mod in Inverness, primarily for Gaelic learners. Amongst the performers will be the winners of the main singing competition for learners, the James C MacPhee Memorial Medal. This programme will be repeated on Radio nan Gàidheal the following day at midday.
- Tuesday 14, 10.00pm – 11.30pm: Songs, poetry and fun from the second day of the Children's Mod when native speakers are to the fore. Amongst the successful performers will be the winners of the main prize of the day, An Comunn Gàidhealach Silver Medal. Another chance to listen to this programme will be available when it repeats on Radio nan Gàidheal on Wednesday at midday.
- Wednesday 15, 10.00pm – 11.00pm: Cathy MacDonald presents highlights from Inverness with singers from the solo competitions throughout the day. Amongst the talented performers will be the winners of the Silver Pendant for adult learners.
- Thursday 16, 7.30pm – 10.00pm: Live coverage of the traditional gold medal competition for singing from the Royal National Mod. Along with Cathy, providing analysis of the competition will be Gaelic broadcaster Morag MacDonald and Skye singer Art Cormack. They will provide their own thoughts on the performances and also a reaction to the final result. Also featured on the show will be the winners of the prestigious Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medals and the main winners from the rural choir competitions held earlier that day. Live coverage will also be simulcast on Radio nan Gàidheal.
- Friday 17, 10.00pm – 11.30pm: Coverage of the main choral winners of the day will feature from the final concert of the week. Amongst the choirs featured will be the winners of the Esme Smyth Trophy, the Mull and Iona Shield, the Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy and the main prize of the day, the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield.
Mòd 2014 programming will also cater for younger viewers. Radio nan Gàidheal’s Aileag, presented by Shona MacVicar, will air on Wednesday 15 at 4.00pm with the best moments from the Children’s Mòd. Megan MacLellan and Derek MacIntosh will present BBC ALBA’s Dè a-nis on Thursday 16 at 6.00pm and will take the audience on an exciting journey through Scotland's newest city along with performances from young singers and musicians.
