Colaisde na Gàidhlig / The Gaelic College
51779 Cabot Trail B0C 1H0 Saint Anns, NS, Canada

We'll be cancelling our Wednesday Night Ceilidhs, both in person and online for the time being out of safety concerns for all involved. Stay home if you can, stay safe, and we'll ceilidh on the other side of this. :)

Colaisde na Gàidhlig was saddened to hear of the recent passing of former Executive Director Jim MacAulay. Passionate about culture and heritage, Jim had great pride in the work of the College and community at large. He left his mark on the people he worked with and all those he welcomed to our campus. We wish to express our sincerest sympathy and extend our prayers to the MacAulay family at this time. https://www.saltwire.com//obitu/james-earl-macaulay-55101/

A great, robust literature review on the impact of second-language learning with some of the following conclusions: Speaking more than one language helps to compensate for cognitive disadvantages that result from aging. Learning a second language enhances creative ability by promoting unique problem solving, flexibility, and creative thinking.... Second-language learners demonstrate enhanced development of self-awareness as well as more positive attitudes and openness to other languages and their speakers and cultures. https://www.caslt.org//n/Lit-review-Impact-L2-Learning.pdf Learn with us this September and our Gaelic Online program. Registration now open: https://gaeliccollege.edu//online-lea/aga-online-learning/

Là Fhèill Brìghde - St Brigid's Day/Candlemas Day/Quarter Day (lah ayl BREEjeh) Edit: my apologies, there was an error in the original post that I have fixed - ...Thanks Margaret for letting me know!! The 1st of February is Là Fhèill Brìghde, and refers to St Brigid of Kildare, who was Brigid (Brigantia), a Celtic river goddess, in pre-Christian times. One pre-Christisn Scottish tradition holds that Brìde (Brigid) spends the winter imprisoned in Ben Nevis by the Cailleach, or Hag, who holds her there from Samhainn. She is rescued by Aonghas mac Óc, the young god, who is her brother. Brìde (Brigid) is able to defeat the Hag, ending the rule of winter and bringing on the beginning of spring. With the coming of Christianity, Brigantia became Saint Brigid (Naomh Brìde - noov BREEjeh) and was highly revered. In Scottish tradition she was often called the 'banaltram ' (BAHnahltrum) - nursemaid - of Christ, based on a belief that she was present at the birth of Jesus, and assisted Mary as midwife. Despite being christianised, Naomh Brìde retained many of Brigantia's attributes. She was closely associated with cattle and lands, was said to have been raised on the milk of an otherworldly white, red-eared cow, and was concerned with cattle and flocks. In one tale she milked a cow until its overflowing milk formed a lake, Loch an Ais. She is associated with fertility, creativity and is a healer and a brewer. The St Brigid's Cross (pictured) is a symbol of Naomh Brìde and is made from rushes or straw, and while now considered a Christian symbol, probably derives from the depiction of the pagan sunwheel. The cross is said to protect the house from fire and evil. There are many traditions associated with St Brigid in Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and in most Brigid is invited to come in and bless the house - a modern translation of a Gaelic welcome for Naomh Brìde is: "Oh Brìde, Brìdeag, come with the wand to this wintry land; and breathe with the breath of Spring so bland, Brìde, Brìde, little Brìde." Là Fhèill Brìghde is a 'Quarter Day'. They are: Samhainn (Nov. 1)- Christianised as All Hallows Imbolc (Feb. 1) - Christianised as Candlemas/Là Fhèill Brìghde, Bealltainn (May 1) - christianised as May Day and Là Lùnasdal (Aug. 1) - christianised as Lammas Quarter Days were when rents and other payments were due, and were the basis of the agricultural calendar used by Celts. Some also argue that the four 'radials' of the Brigid's Cross represent these four quarters. Growing up, making a St Brigid's Cross was something we did every year on the day before Là Fhèill Brìghde. I have friends who leave a scarf out the night before so St Brigid can bless it as she passes - the scarf (or piece of cloth) then has healing and protective power! Do you have any St Brigid's Day traditions?

"My plan for the future is to play my heart out I guess is about the size of it. Wherever, whenever. If people can receive happiness from it, that's what I want to do. I want to bring them all the happiness I can." - Jerry Holland

We've got just the thing to get you into the holiday spirit... A Celtic Colours Christmas special! Settle in and enjoy some great performances by Cape Breton's own Sarah and Elizabeth MacInnis, Jenny MacKenzie, and The Barra MacNeils.

Our gift to you this holiday season...? How about A Celtic Colours Christmas special featuring performances by Sarah & Elizabeth MacInnis, Jenny MacKenzie, ...and The Barra MacNeils! Tune in tonight at 7pm ADT right here on Facebook or head over to our YouTube channel for some festive fun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NMqLQH3-j0 See more

To get you in the Christmas spirit, here is a little taste of what you can expect from our virtual Annual Christmas Concert! If you want more, you can purchase ...a link by e-transfering $20.00 to [email protected] and include a valid email address to which we can send the concert link on December 22nd. If e-transfer is not an option for you, please contact [email protected] to arrange an alternate form of payment (cash/cheque). We can't wait to share the full concert with you and your family!

Beannachdan nam Féilltean Dhuibh bho Colaisde na Gàidhlig, gu’m biodh am Bliadhn’ Ùr agaibh làn ciùil agus aoibhneis. Blessings of the season to you from the Gaelic College, may your new year be filled with music and joy.

Given the changing environment here at home, we will be cancelling tomorrow night's Ceilidh at the College, and reevaluating the weeks to come. Stay home and stay safe.

The Gaelic Council is pleased to spotlight some young Gaels in our Nova Scotia community. Look for these posts over the next few weeks as we recognize the impac...t they are having on our language and culture! Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig / Office of Gaelic Affairs #gaelic #gaidhlig #gaelic_ns #language #culture #community #youth

Due to a spike in covid cases in our province, we're going to cancel our upcoming ceilidh in Antigonish - but certainly hope to try things again there in the new year. We'll still have our Wednesday Night Ceilidh at the College this week, but will reassess our plans after that. Thanks for your support! Stay safe everyone.

We are thrilled to say the céilidhs will roll right on this fall and winter, this time with a special ceilidh crew of talent featured each week. Not only are these special guests slated to teach classes online starting next week, we’ll be seeing them perform each Wednesday eve as well - so a big welcome on board to Howie, Mary Beth, Leanne, Rachel, and Darren - it’s sure to be a great end to 2020 and beginning to 2021.

It's ceilidh night! We've got a whole crew on deck for tunes, including the one and only Abigail MacDonald. Check out her beautiful rendition of this John Denver classic performed here alongside her father Brian. Hope to see you all this eve!

Barbie’s Pop-Up Bake Shop Thursday, December 17, 9am-1pm MacKenzie Hall Oatcakes, shortbread, gingerbread, peanut butter balls and porridge bread!Barbie’s Pop-Up Bake Shop Thursday, December 17, 9am-1pm MacKenzie Hall Oatcakes, shortbread, gingerbread, peanut butter balls and porridge bread!

Due to poor local weather conditions, we're playing it safe and cancelling tonight's planned Christmas ceilidh. We were so looking forward to it, but hate the thought of folks out on these slippery roads. We hope to broadcast live music here sometime in the future as well. But! Good news - some of College crew are heading to Cheticamp to play for a ceilidh this Saturday at the Doryman - catch Rodney, Leanne, Howie, and Mary Beth from 2-5pm.

COOL GIFT IDEA ALERT! We've got the perfect gift idea for that keener in your life - online lessons from the Gaelic College! For one flat rate of $100, students can access any and all available classes over the 8 week schedule. For students at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced skill levels, classes will range from fiddle, piano accompaniment, guitar accompaniment, step dance, and piping. Classes will be offered via Zoom and will be recorded and available to registered students for 7 days after each class takes place. Want to learn more - visit https://gaeliccollege.edu/session/fall-workshop-series/