Bard’s tenure is being extended

Sandy Donaldson Jones, who was crowned as the official Bard of An Comunn Gaidhealach at the Royal National Mod in Glasgow in October 2019, is to continue as Bard for a further year.
Bard selected for another yearBard selected for another year
Bard selected for another year

Supported by An Comunn Gaidhealach and the Gaelic Books Council, Sandy will carry on her work as an ambassador for Gaelic literature.

The coronavirus prevented many festivals and literary events from taking place this year, but the internet has given writers a new platform and Sandy has been involved in online events with renowned poet Meg Bateman and in a special event, “The Poets’ House”, with Eòghan Stewart, Marcas Mac an Tuairneir and Marion F Morrison, at the online Mod in October 2020, and many more events are planned for the year ahead.

James Graham, Chief Executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “We are delighted that Sandy will continue her duties as the Bard. She has brought so much energy to the role and done so much to promote Gaelic literature over the past year. We welcome the opportunity to work with her for another year and we look forward to all the events that are planned.”

Alison Lang, Director of the Gaelic Books Council, said: “We are very pleased that An Comunn Gàidhealach has extended Sandy’s tenure as Bard for a further year, and that the Gaelic Books Council is able to support her and other writers at this difficult time.

“The fact that Gaelic poetry is going from strength to strength gives us cause to be hopeful. We are proud of Sandy’s work to date and we look forward to the coming year and to her new book.”

Sandy said: “It has been an honour for me to be involved in many initiatives to raise the profile of Gaelic poetry and literature over the past year. I am so pleased that we have been able to create a programme of engaging events, despite the obstacles we have faced.

“I am indebted to An Comunn Gàidhealach and to the Gaelic Books Council for their support and for entrusting me with this duty, and for extending my time as the Bard, and I very much look forward to working with both organisations in the year to come.”

During lockdown, Sandy completed her second collection of poetry.

An Seachdamh Tonn (The Seventh Wave) will be published in 2021 by Acair. Her first collection, Crotal Ruadh (Red Lichen), was published in 2016 and is available from https://gaelicbooks.org/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1261

Tomorrow, November 20, at 7pm, Sandy will be taking part in an event during Book Week Scotland: The Urge to Write: Sources of Inspiration for Gaelic Poetry and Music: Poetry and Songs by Sandy Donaldson Jones and Gillebride MacMillan, tickets at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/piobrachadh-na-ceolraidh-the-urge-to-write-tickets-127307757931

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