​Family fun at the forefront of Paisley Mòd 2023

Published: 24 Aug 2023

Family fun will be at the heart of this year’s Royal National Mòd, with more activities for children and families on offer than ever before.

Scotland’s premier Gaelic cultural event returns to Paisley between 13 – 21 October 2023, with special performances, exciting competitions, sporting clashes, workshops for all ages and cèilidhs taking place across the town and surrounding area.

The event celebrates Scotland’s linguistic and cultural heritage and this year is going the extra mile to engage children and young people, giving them the chance to be exposed to and learn Gaelic through a range of fun activities and giving more advanced and native speakers the chance to champion their language and meet fellow speakers of all ages.

As the summer holidays draw to a close, we’re highlighting the top events to get involved in during the October break in and around Paisley as part of this year’s Mòd.

Welcome Cèilidh

On Thursday 19th October, The Tannahill Centre will stage the Welcome Cèilidh – a warm, welcoming multi-cultural ceilidh for communities from all cultures to share stories in their native languages, mixed with Gaelic. The event will be hosted by School of African Cultures in partnership with local community groups Pachedu and Inspiring Families.

Sruth “Buainidh Aon Fhacal Ceud”

The Sruth drop-in events offer young people the chance to chat with some of Gaeldom’s best-known stars at Skinnedars, Paisley Town Hall on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th October. Only the second year it’s run, the informal event will

let young Gaelic speakers engage in conversation with well-known Gaelic faces including acclaimed singer and BBC Alba broadcaster, Ellen MacDonald and Lewis radio personality and TikToker Mark Smith.

Children’s Cèilidhs

Running on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th October at UWS Students’ Union, the Children’s Cèilidhs are set to be fun for all the family, with music, games, dancing, and a café bar with a special kids menu. These events are supported and delivered by Comunn na Gàidhlig with Fèis Phàislig.

Gaelic Kids Club with Fèis Phàislig

Running from Monday 16th - Friday 20th October, Cluicheamaid, which is Gaelic for ‘Let Us Play’, is a dynamic kids club that offers a fun experience of traditional music and Gaelic culture for young people.

Each day will have an original theme and sessions will involve a mix of games, music, arts and crafts, singing and dancing. Children do not need to have any previous experience of Gaelic language to join these free sessions which will take place at venues across Renfrewshire, with morning sessions for 4-7 year olds and afternoon events for 8-12s.

Gaelic Bookbug

Gaelic Bookbug provides songs, smiles and stories with a Gaelic twist for young book lovers at sessions in libraries around Paisley for the duration of the Mòd week, Monday 16th - Friday 20th October.

Spooky Samhain Family Cèilidh

On Saturday 21st October there will be a chance to celebrate Halloween and the Samhain Festival in the Gaelic tradition with an afternoon family cèilidh led by Fèis Phàislig. Circus skills, kids entertainment, games and arts and crafts will be on offer, and dressing up is strongly encouraged.

Gaelic Circus Skills Workshop

Children aged 6-12 years will have the chance to try their hand at some circus skills and learn or practice a bit of Gaelic at this free workshop taking place at Community Circus Paisley on Monday 16th October.

James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “We’re so pleased that Mòd Phàislig will be hosting such a wide array of events for children and families this October. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young people

in Renfrewshire to get involved with the Mòd, speak and learn Gaelic, pick up new skills and make new friends in a fun and welcoming environment during the school holidays.

“We would encourage people to plan ahead and book the sessions they would like to attend in advance, and to take advantage of the wealth of activities available across the town and wider region. Whether you’re a Gaelic learner or native looking for new opportunities, there really is something for everyone at this year’s Mòd.”

Renfrewshire Provost, Lorraine Cameron, said: “There is so much for people to enjoy at this year’s Mòd. The activities not only offer the opportunity for families to have fun together during the October school holidays but also to learn more about Gaelic culture and language. I’d encourage everyone to head along to the events taking place and get involved in the town’s Mòd celebrations.”

The Royal National Mòd celebrates the Gaelic language and Scottish traditional music, song, drama, literature, art and sport. Hundreds of musicians and artists will take to stages, halls and libraries in over 20 venues across Paisley and its surrounding areas during the nine-day event when it returns to the Renfrewshire town for the first time in ten years.

The Royal National Mòd is supported by EventScotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Renfrewshire Council, The Scottish Government, HIE, Creative Scotland, Caledonian MacBrayne, BBC ALBA, The Reeling and SQA.

To find out more about Mòd Phàislig events and to book tickets, visit www.modphaislig.com.

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