"Bliadhna Theàrlaich, The songs, music and story of the ‘45", is a concert which will be presented by the The Gaelic Society of Inverness in association with National Trust for Scotland and with funding from Highland Council. The concert will be performed at the Ironworks on Fri 28 September, 7.30pm and includes Margaret Stewart (singer), Jenna Cumming (singer), Lisa Storey (readings), Gillebride MacMillan (singer), Griogair Labhruidh (singer), Breabach (innovative celtic band), Ross & Cromarty Pipes and Drums School, Simon McKerrell (piper), The Claire Bryce Dancers and Allan Campbell (fear an taighe).
The tried and tested formula of gathering together some of the nation’s best talents to perform material relating to a particular theme has been the hallmark of the Gaelic Society of Inverness’s annual musical event. Since its inception some ten years ago this event has entertained and informed thousands of Gaels and non-Gaels and has gained a reputation for its quality. This year the Society has chosen for the event’s theme the Jacobite Rising of 1745 and to mark the re-opening of their visitor centre at Culloden Battlefield, the event is being organised with the help and support of the National Trust for Scotland.
The ‘45, which culminated in defeat for Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s Jacobite army at Culloden, had far-reaching consequences for the Gàidhealtachd. It marked the end of the old order in Highland society and the beginning of a period in which the area and its population were increasingly integrated into the national and international market economy. This process of adjustment proved to be a very painful one for Highland society and the origin of many of the problems besetting the area over the next 200 years can be traced ultimately to the ’45. It was a period which also produced a huge amount of beautiful music and poetry and a selection of this will be performed by the tremendous array of talented people who have agreed to take part in the event. Singers Maighread Stewart, Genna Cumming, Gillebride MacMillan, and Griogair Labhruidh are to appear. They will be joined by pipers and dancers and by the dynamic young band, Breabach. Allan Campbell will chair the event taking the audience through the story of the ’45 and providing the context for the material performed by the artistes. Readings of poetry and other relevant items will help illustrate and elucidate the story.
As in previous years, the event will be conducted entirely through Gaelic but for those who have not yet mastered the language of the Garden of Eden, a continuous on-screen translation will be provided in English.
According to Society Secretary, Anne Souter a great evening of entertainment and information is anticipated. “Some of our most beautiful, powerful and poignant songs and music arose from the 1745 Jacobite Rising and examples of these will be performed at the Society’s event by some of the nation’s best talents. It will be a beautiful, moving and informative evening. With the event being staged at the Ironworks venue in the centre of Inverness and at a time of year when there should not be too many difficulties travelling to the city from the further-flung parts of the country, a large audience is expected and we can promises them a memorable evening.”
Coinneach Maclean, the deputy chief executive of the National Trust for Scotland said they welcome the opportunity to be associated with the Bliadhna Theàrlaich event. “The NTS is delighted that the Gaelic Society of Inverness has chosen the songs, music and story of the ’45 as the theme for its concert and is pleased to support this year’s event. The concert’s topic and timing are significant as the NTS will open the new visitor centre and exhibition at Culloden later this year as one of the key legacies of Highland 2007. At the new centre the visitor's experience will be enhanced through access to an unprecedented range of Gaelic speech, music and song and the NTS acknowledges Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s support in achieving this. NTS also acknowledges the invaluable role of BBC Radio nan Gàidheal in achieving this range and quality of material"
Inverness Gaelic Society gratefully acknowledges the help of Highland 2007 in funding this event.
Further information: Cailean Maclean 01470 532481 cailean@skye-media.com
Tickets for the concert are:- £12/£10 and £5 (School pupils) amd can be purchaseat the Box Office, over the phone on 08717 894173, and online http://www.ironworksvenue.com
