"We do our best to keep Gaelic alive": Islanders celebrate Gold Medal haul

Applauding all the morning’s singers, another of the judges, the conductor of Lothian Gaelic Choir Angus Tully said: "We have been moved, informed and entertained. Do not leave anything unsung. Extract all the emotion. Imagine you are singing that song for the last time."

Competing in the Gold Medal for the first time this year was one of the Mòd’s star singers from the youth classes, 19-year-old Laura Robertson from An Gearasdan (Fort William). None of her family are Gaelic speakers, but thanks to all her hard work, she is now up there amongst the other adult fluent singers.

For Lauren NicDhòmhnaill, originally from Port Rìgh (Portree), the qualifiers were particularly nerve-wracking - the last time she performed at the Mòd was when she was 12 years old. Singing runs in the genes though. Her mum won a silver medal 40 years ago, and her uncles and cousins are Mòd gold medallists. She was glad to get a sip of water after her performance, saying: “I was running a marathon in my first song. Being part of Glasgow Gaelic Choir for the past three years has given me the confidence to take part today.”

But in the women’s competition, only four of the nine singers could reach the glittering finals in the Corran Halls that night, singing in front of hundreds in the Main Hall - and thousands on live TV. The four female singers with the highest marks in Gaelic and music made it through to the next stage: Alice Nic a’ Mhaoilein from An Rubha (Point, Lewis), Claire Frances NicNìll from Barra, Kirsty Watt from Eilean Leòdhais (Isle of Lewis) and Julie-Anne NicPhaidein from An t-Òban (Oban).

Among the shining silver prizes handed out, one sparked a wee kerfuffle, the Joyce Murray Trophy for the highest mark in Gaelic. It was a three-way tie, on the score 186. The judges re-checked their maths and an error, and an extra point, was found in the paperwork, putting Alice Nic a’ Mhaoilein in the lead with 187. "They read out the mark wrong - I had a mark extra for the Gaelic," Alice explained.

All seven finalists then had to prepare again, and repeat their performances, for the televised stage that night.

Ryan Johnston chose the song ’Birlinn Cholla Chiotaich (Coll Kitto’s Galley)’, about "a boat that defies all odds and can sail in any sea", he explained. Alice Nic a’ Mhaoilein’s choice was a love song by Uisdean MacPhail called ’Thug mi mo Làmh Don Eileannach; (’I gave my hand to the islander).

"Thank you, for a real treat," said a judge afterwards, congratulating all seven singers. "Your job as a performer is to make a connection between your voice and the song, drawing the audience into understanding the text.

"Tonight for us is just a snapshot of all your hard work and dedication. If we ran the competition tomorrow, or next week, the outcome could be very different. I wish you all the best of luck in your musical journeys."

On two huge screens hanging off the hall ceiling, the scores were read out. In the men’s competition, Pàdraig Mac a’ Phearsain finished third, Finlay John Morse second, and cheers erupted from the packed chairs as Ryan Johnston was declared the men’s Gold Medal winner.

The "absolutely ecstatic" Ileach told us: "I have been preparing for three months. It is quite a busy time, trying to balance work as well. I am not a fluent speaker." Ryan thanked the people who had helped him get to the top, including DI Brown, Catriona MacRae and Kenneth Thomson, conductor, Ceòlraidh Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu (Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association), in which Ryan sings.

He also thanked Arlene McKerrell, conductor of another choir Ryan sings in, Coisir Ghaidhlig Ile (Islay Gaelic Choir). Arlene, who is also Ryan’s aunt, told us while taking fan photographs: "He has worked incredibly hard for this. He started Gaelic lessons way back in January, then started learning songs. He sings every day. I am so immensely proud."

Also in the audience was Ryan’s very proud mum, Tracy, alongside two more aunties and many more cousins. "He has been working very hard for many months," his mum said. "He started doing poetry at the Mòds at the age of six. He sings all the time."

"It is lovely to represent Islay and have my family here," Ryan said. "It feels great to bring the Gold Medal back to Islay."

After the equally beautiful singing in the women’s competition, only a few points separated Claire Frances NicNìll in fourth place, Kirsty Watt in third, and Julie-Anne NicPhaidein in second, but the clear frontrunner was Alice Nic a’ Mhaoilein.

Alice told us that, after finishing five points ahead earlier in the qualifier, she had hoped a win that night might be possible, but "things can change so quickly". The 20-year-old Gaelic language student at Edinburgh University added: "I am delighted to have got it. It was really stiff competition. It has been an honour."

Having won the Traditional Gold Medal at the 2022 Royal National Mòd in Perth, she now has the complete set.

Another "delighted" singer was Oban’s Julie-Anne NicPhaidein, who achieved a stellar second place. "What a lovely group of competitors," she said, thanking those who helped her get to the final stage, including Professor William Gillies, another native of Dalintart, Oban. "Everyone is such beautiful singers. It’s just so important to our culture to share these songs and be together. If we don’t, they’ll be gone.”

For her own choice song, Julie-Anne put her own tune to a poem, the Lorn Bard’s Lament for Dr Neil Murray, who drowned in Loch Linnhe in 1872. "I thought: ’Let’s bring it back to the Oban Mòd and put a tune to it.’ The very last line says: ’The people that come after me will sing that song.’ So, now they have."