Fèisean nan Gàidheal, the National Association of the Fèis movement has appointed John Jo MacNeil, to work alongside the Fèis Bharraigh committee to undertake an exciting new project on the island. The one year project, which has received funding from the Scottish Arts Council Youth Music Initiative fund and the BBC Children in Need Appeal aims to build on the current year-round classes programme, delivering a series of groupwork, accordion, clàrsach, piping and drumming workshops.

Fèisean nan Gàidheal Development Manager, David Boag said, “The main focus of this project is to allow more one-to-one sessions for young people on the island who are already playing. Following on from the success of the 25th Fèis Bharraigh celebrations in 2005, we have been working closely with the local committee to ensure that young people on the island can develop their skills even further. We are delighted that John Jo will be undertaking this project and look forward to continuing our close working relationship with the committee.”

John Jo will start his new job from 10th July based in the Fèis office at Castlebay Hall and will work closely with Fèis Bharraigh’s administrator, Gillian Hamill who will be leading efforts in the run up to the main Fèis, 16 – 22 July.

David Boag added, “Over the last few years, Fèisean throughout Scotland have benefited from additional funding to employ people to help with the increasing administrative burdens of running a large youth event such as Fèis Bharraigh. This has been particularly successful in the case of Fèis Bharraigh. Although John Jo’s post is specifically targeted at delivering this particular project, I am sure that he and Gillian will make an excellent team and build on the successes of the last 25 years.”


Oifigear ùr airson Fèis Bharraigh

Tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal glè thoilichte John Jo MacNèill ainmeachadh mar an neach a bhios ag obair còmhla ri comataidh ionadail Fhèis Bharraigh gus pròiseact sònraichte a chur air dòigh. Fhuair am pròiseact seo taic airgid bho Chomhairle Ealain na h-Alba agus BBC Clann ann an Èis agus 's e amas a’ phròiseict sreath de chlasaichean ciùil a chur air bhonn thairis air a’ bhliadhna a tha romhainn.

Thuirt Daibhidh Boag, Manaidsear Leasachaidh Fèisean nan Gàidheal, “’S e am prìomh amas a th’ againn leis na bùthan-obrach seo, cothrom a thoirt dhan chloinn a tha cluich ionnstramaid mu thràth teagasg aon-neach fhaighinn airson na sgilean aca neartachadh. Bha na tachartasan ann am Barraigh an-uiridh gus 25 bliadhna de dh’Fèis Bharraigh a chomharrachadh gu math soirbheachail agus tha sinn ag iarraidh an iomairt seo a chumail a’ dol. Tha sinn glè thoilichte gum bi John Jo ag obair còmhla ruinn air a’ phròiseact seo agus tha mi cinnteach gun obraich Fèisean nan Gàidheal agus comataidh Fhèis Bharraigh gu math dlùth ri chèile airson pròiseact soirbheachail a chur air dòigh.”

Tòisichidh John Jo anns an dreuchd ùr aig toiseach seachdain 10 Iuchar ann an Oifis Fhèis Bharraigh, Talla Bhàgh a’ Chaisteil. Aig an aon àm, bidh Gillian Hamill, neach-rianachd Fhèis Bharraigh, a’ dèanamh deiseil airson na Fèise fhèin, a’ bhios a’ ruith am-bliadhna bho 16 gu 22 Iuchar.

Thuirt Daibhidh Boag, “Bidh tòrr Fhèisean air feadh Alba a’ faighinn taic airgid bho Fhèisean nan Gàidheal gus neach-rianachd fhastadh. Tha seo na chuideachadh mòr dha na comataidhean a bhios ag obair gu saor-thoileach. Tha an sgeama seo gu h–àraid soirbheachail ann am Barraigh agus tha mi glè chinnteach gun obraich John Jo agus Gillian còmhla mar fhìor dheagh sgioba agus gun tog iad air soirbheachas Fhèis Bharraigh thàr nan 25 bliadhna a tha i air a bhith a’ ruith.”
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David Boag, Development Manager,  West Highland House, 5 Mitchell’s Lane, Inverness IV2 3HQ
Tel (01463) 225559  E-mail david@feisean.org