Islay Bards Song and Art

Islay Visual Arts Group and Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle have collaborated to produce a combined Exhibition Preview and Musical Evening on Friday 22nd May 2009.

Islay Visual Arts Group were challenged to choose a Gaelic theme, and also to involve the island’s schools in their annual exhibition during Fèis Ìle in the last week in May. IVAG members Mairi Watson, Jane Taylor and Jennifer Gillies met with then manager of Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle Andy MacDonald, and later with Anne MacGill, joined by Morag MacDougall, Cath Crawford and Margaret Anne Mactaggart, noted Gaelic speakers and singers, to identify the works of five Islay Bards.

Together they brought several of the Bards’ Gaelic songs and poems with English translations into Islay’s schools. The pupils heard the songs and poems, and learned who the Bards are or were, where they stayed what they did, also where their works can be found. We are very fortunate that our lady Bard, Lily ‘Fish’ MacDougall is very much with us today, where William Livingstone, Duncan MacNiven, Charles MacNiven and Duncan Johnston are historic. Continue reading.....
Schoolchildren and adult painters alike were inspired by epic poems and songs such as “Carn air a`Mhonadh” (Cairn on the Moor), a song by Duncan Johnston, one of the famous Islay Bards. This song tells the traditonal story of faithful men obeying their clan chief’s dying wish, carrying the body of Angus of Arran after he fell in a 16th century battle and not setting his body down until they came within sight of his beloved Arran.

The school pupils and adult painters alike were fascinated by the task and have produces exceptional work. Judges have been given at least 60 paintings in the Schools section, out of which to choose 1st and 2nd prize winners in three age categories.

The Exhibition Preview opens at 6:30pm in Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle, Bowmore, followed by a Musical Evening from 8pm, featuring performances of a selection of the Islay Bards’songs and poems. Admission to the Exhibition Preview is free. Adult tickets for the Musical Evening following the Preview are available from Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle at the door; child admission is free.

The next art exhibition at Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle will take place at during June, when the works will be inspired by the theme of Ceol Mor and other music of the Highland Bagpipes.

Text by by Susan Campbell, Office & Project Services