GAELIC CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 68, 17 September 1936, Page 4

GAELIC CLUB

HISTORIC ISLAY

AN ELOQUENT ADDRESS

There was a large gathering of members and friends at the monthly Ceilidh of the Wellington Gaelic Club. Mrs. A. Me Vicar, president, was in the chair.

An appeal was made for members to join up with the Gaelic class and choir. Congratulations were extended to the members, Mrs. A. MacKay, Donald Young, Nancy Mac Donald, and Mary Smith, who had carried off honours in the singing, playing, and national dancing at the recent competitions. . An address illustrated by lantern slides on "The Island of Islay" was given by Mr. P. M. Cameron. In describing this,, his birthplace, and mak 7 ing know.n its many attractions to those present, the speaker was most eloquent. Islay was the furthest out of the islands of the Outer Hebrides. From here the Mac Donalds, Lords of the Isles, in the thirteenth century ruled over all the Hebrides, a good part of Ireland, and part of the mainland of Scotland. Three of their castles or forts, now in ruins, are all that remain to show the extent of their great power. Starting from Port Ellen, the speaker, with the aid of-his lantern, described the many historic features of the island, which is an antiquarian's paradise. Clan warfare and Viking raids, with their many deed's of daring had left their mark on this land. The sculptured stones of Killaron and Kilchoman and the Celtic crosses of Kildalton and Kilchoman were shown and described. The famous church of Bowmore, its circular conical form built on the cornstack priri'ciple in 1767 by a French architect for Daniel Campbell, then Lord of the Island, was built round so as not to leave any corners for the Devil to lurk in* so tradition says. Many other interesting views were shown and der scribed. "

On the motion of the president, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Cameron for his interesting talk, also to his assistant, Mr. McCune, Jor worMp* the lantern. niijfeJß ttte evening selections by the club'STn&eDand under Pipe-Major Grahame ■werfe given, Gaelic songs by Mr. A. McGdugan, Mrs. A. MacKay, and Mrs. McWhinnie: dancing by Nancy Mac Donald and Donald Young, selec-. tions by the club's orchestra under Mr. Geo. Gunn, and elocutionary items by Mr. Begg. Highland and Scots dancing was entered into with spirit by all present. Mrs. London was accompanist. , Supper was served by Mrs. J. MacArthur and her efficient assistants, and a most successful Ceilidh concluded with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and the Gaelic "Good-night" song. Announcement was made of the Auld Scots' church service to be given in St. Andrew's Church by the Rev. Mr. Armour, o.t Christchurch, on Sunday,' September 27, and members were invited to attend.