Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh & Ceòl Nis 2006

Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh - 31st July – 4th August

Ceòl Nis - 1st – 5th August

Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh ran from the 31st July – 4th August in Taigh Dhonnchaidh from 10am – 4pm with a variety of musical dance and art tuitions. The classes were very well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all the pupils. The pupils did very well having a taste at a selection of musical instruments, traditional gaidhlig singing, art and highland dancing We would like to thank Ailie Robertson from supervising the classes & all the tutors for teaching each day. Well done to all the pupils who attended & we hope to see you again soon.

Ceol Nis ran from the 1st – 5th August this year with a talented group of Musicians, dancers and singers from Conamara in Ireland joining us for the week.

On the 1st August we have a welcome ceilidh in Taigh Dhonnchaidh to start off the week long festival. It was a packed out evening with many musicians including the Ness Melodeon Band, Murdo John Mackenzie, Mary Smith, Donna, Hector & Catriona Mackay piping among others. The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all and started ceol nis off very well.

A Charity Match was organised by Sweeny & Martin to raise funds for Bethesda Hospice. A BIG thank you to all that took part and help out, £65 was raised & Taigh Dhonnchaidh will make it up to £100.
The evening was in the Ness Social Club with a performance of Highland, Scottish & Irish Dancing accompanied by Calum Alex Macmillan & Iain Macinnes. Jayne & Angela did a performance of Highland Dancing followed by Patricia & Anne from Ireland performing some Irish Dances. The Scottish Dancing was led by Dods with the dance floor full all evening.

On the 3rd in the Ness Social there was a performance from Plearaca Teo, a group of ten Irish singers, dancers & musicians from Connamara. There was a very high standard of traditional singing, dance and music from the group that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. There was also a newly formed Taigh Dhonnchaidh group set up by Murdo John & the melodeon band which brought together melodeons, fiddles, guitar, keyboard and piping.

On Friday the 4th August after the Eilean an Fhraoich Cup Final Skerryvore took to the stage in a packed out Ness Social Club. The lively group of 5 young men from Tiree had everyone up dancing from the entire evening. The group went down well very well and we hope to see them again soon.

A change in the schedule brought the Crofthouse Ceilidh Band to Ness which was comprises of Andrew Yearley on accordion with others in guitar & pipes. Thanks to the group for coming over at short notice. Jenna Cumming was the main attraction of the evening drawing in a large crowd to hear her beautiful voice.

Ceòl Nis 2005 19th – 23rd July

Ceòl Nis is an annual five day music and cultural festival in the heart of Ness, the northern most part of the Isle of Lewis. This years festival ran from the 19th – 23rd July in a variety of locations throughout Ness to enable all venues to be used

Tuesday 19th – Ceòl Nis started with a well attended fiddle workshop taken by Donnie ‘Loudie’ Macleod. There was 3 people from America that were travelling on there bikes around Scotland with there fiddles and one with a guitar. They had a great time with the others that were there some local and others from around Scotland on holiday. The second workshop of the day was Piano with Donna Scott that was also thoroughly enjoyed and the skill that was shown by a young girl was excellent. The evening entertainment was followed by the Ceòl Nis 2005 opening Ceilidh held in Ness Social Club with Local artists. The evening had a well attended crowd with a wonderful display of local performers. The performers were:-

• Istibh is Estibh a local young group from Stornoway with a wonderful celtic sound, winners at the local Mod.
• Nicola Morrison & Annette Martin – Accordion & Keyboard duo, both competitors and winners over the years. Nicola is a well establish accordion player and a previous tutor in Taigh Dhonnchaidh. Annette also has a lot of experience in and out of school and now is part of the Ness Melodeon band.
• Eilean and Fhraoich Pipe band – a well known highland band in the Islands.
• A duo from America that were passing by joined in on guitar & fiddle.
• The Thistle Dubh Ceilidh Band – a group from Glasgow with a strong ceilidh style using accordion, fiddle & drumming.

Wednesday 20th – The Wednesday workshop started again by Fiddle with Donnie ‘Loudie’ Macleod, followed by an Art workshop inspired by Bàrdachd by Helen Alexander. The Evening entertainment followed the local language and culture theme with well known authors of Gàidhlig. There was Bardachd readings and Gàidhlig singing throughout the evening in the wonderful atmosphere of Taigh Dhonnchaidh.

Thursday 21st – Thursdays Workshop was Piping with Donna Scott & Hector Maclean mixed with Drumming with Sandy Maclean. This was done together as the tutors felt it would be good to work the two instruments together and play alongside each other at the same time. The Evening entertainment was The Midden a very talented group of three sisters from Fife. They have played at Hogmanay live, Celtic Connections Winners & have opened Snowpatrol. The group has a celtic style using fiddle, guitar and vocal. The evening went down very well and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Friday 22nd – Friday Workshop was Guitar with Angus Macleod & Kenny Don Maclean with the Melodeon. They worked together to teach both those interested in guitar and melodeon. Friday evening was targeted at those in there late teen upwards to ensure that there was something for everyone throughout the week. There were two bands that played in the Ness Hall – Kroftwerk a band from Stornoway and High Street a local band from Ness. This evening was a different style of music and showed the tremendous talent of the youth on the island. Saturday 23rd July The final day and the first workshop was Dannsa with Jayne Macleod followed by Seinn with Murdo John Macleod. The evening was the Finale Ceilidh in Ness Social Club with Ishbel Macaskill a well known Gàidhlig singer and the Ness Melodeon Band. The night went very well with a large audience and ceilidh dancing also.

Attendance Figures for Week = 230 people Overall Ceòl Nis was a great asset to Ness and further a field as it gave an insight into what is offered in Taigh Dhonnchaidh through the classes and the talent that is in the Island. Ceòl Nis also offers a facility for local people throughout the Island and for tourists visiting. The classes benefited both the children and adults which may enable then to carry on the subject in the classes that are available in Taigh Dhonnchaidh throughout the year. Ceòl Nis would be unable to happen if there wasn’t the support from:

• Katie Mary Mackenzie Taigh Dhonnchaidh Chair
• Angus Graham Taigh Dhonnchaidh Treasurer
• All the Taigh Dhonnchaidh Members
• All the Taigh Dhonnchaidh Tutors
• The local Community
• Ness Social Club
• Iomairt Nis
• Cross Inn
• Swainbost Shop
• Cross Stores
• Borve Pottery
• Awards for All
• Cllr Samantha Hawkins
• Feisean nan Gaidheal
• Lews Castle College
• Communn na Gàidhlig
• Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Ceòl Nis Festival: 25-27 July 2002

Ceòl Nis is the annual music festival held in Ness, Isle of Lewis held this year July 25, 26, 27. The festival is run by Ness based Taigh Dhonnchaidh - Arts & Music Centre which runs many arts events and classes in NW Lewis throughout the year.

An added bonus to the festival this year is that the 'Morrison Clan Gathering' is happening in Ness at the same time as Ceòl Nis. This will benefit both festivals as there will be many 'Morrisons' from far and wide visiting the area who will be able to attend the wide range of events held in the area at this time.

This years Ceòl Nis festival has an exciting line up of both local and international musicians and singers. Thursday night has local groups including Ness Melodeon Band and participants of Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh playing at the Taigh Dhonnchaidh Arts & Music Centre.

The main Friday night Ness Hall concert/cèilidh has three wonderful bands from three different Celtic regions. The band 'Beòlach' is one of Cape Breton's most exciting new young bands. The group performs an energetic mix of Cape Breton, Scottish, and Irish tunes featuring piano, pipes, whistles, drums, guitar, and two fiddles. From Belfast comes Craobh Rua, an exciting four piece who play Irish traditional music mixing rousing jigs, reels and polkas with tender ballads and airs. The local flavour is come from Lewis' own traditional music group Solas. This band was put together to play at the National Mod's 'Òran Ùr Song Competition' in October 2001. Since then they have played at the Pan Celtic festival in Kilkenny, Ireland in April 2002.

There will be a seafood barbecue (local produce) at Port of Ness on Saturday afternoon. Not to be missed!

The final Saturday night concert is in the Ness FC Social Club. This concert will delight all lovers of Gaelic song; Ishbel MacAskill from Point, Lewis is one of the great ambassadors of Scottish Gaelic songs. She has recorded three albums of Gaelic song and toured around the world delighting audiences with her wonderful singing. John 'Tonkan' Macdonald, another well loved singer from Point, will also be performing this night. 'Tonkan' sings Gaelic, Scottish and country songs - enough to keep any cèilidh audience happy!

For more details contact:

Taigh Dhonnchaidh
44 Habost, Ness, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0TG
Tel/Fax: 01851 810166
Email: oifis@taighdhonnchaidh.com

Tha Ceòl Nis a’ tachairt a h-uile bliadhna ann an Nis, anns an Eilean Leòdhais agus tha e a’ gabhail àite air 25, 26, 27 den Iuchar. Tha am feis air a ruith le Taigh Dhonnchaidh, Ionad Ealain ‘s Ceòl air a shuidheachadh ann an Nis, a tha a’ ruith tachartasan ealain agus clasaichean anns an Iar Thuath de Leòdhas o cheann gu ceann a bhliadhna.

A’ cur ris an fhèis am bliadhna, tha cruinneachadh Clan Mhoireasdan a’ tachairt ann an Nis aig an aon àm ri Ceòl Nis. Tha seo gu bhith na bhuannachd airson gach fèis oir bidh Moireasdanaich a’ tighinn bho fad agus farsaing gus tadhal air an sgìre agus tha cothrom aca a bhith frithealadh na consairtean a tha a’gabhail àite aig an àm.

Am bliadhna tha Ceòl Nis a’ toirt thugaibh luchd-ciùil agus seinneadairean ionadail agus eadar-nàiseanta. Air oidhche Dhiardaoin, bidh còmhlain ionadail air an àrd-ùrlar a’ gabhail a- steach còmhlan Maileodian Nis agus daoine a bhitheas a’ gabhail pàirt ann am fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh agus bidh seo ann an Taigh Dhonnchaidh.

Tha an consairt/cèilidh a tha a’ gabhail àite ann an Talla Nis air Oidhche Haoine a’ toirt thugaibh trì còmhlain Ceilteach à trì ceàrnaidhean Cheilteach. ‘S e Beòlach, còmhlain ùr, òg agus beothail a tha a’ tighinn à Cape Breatainn. Tha an còmhlan a’ cluich measgachadh de òrain à Cape Breatainn, Alba agus Eireann leis a’ phiano, pìob chiùil, feadan, giotàr agus dà fiodhall. ‘S ann a Beal Feirste a tha Craobh Rua a’ tighinn, còmhlan a tha a’ cluich ceòl Èireannach traidiseanta a’ measgachadh jigs, ruidhlaichean le òrain shocair agus airs. Tha am blas ionadail a’ tighinn bhon chòmhlan ciùil à Leòdhas fhèin, Solas. Chaidh an còmhlan seo a chur ri chèile gus cluich aig farpais nan Òran Ùr aig a Mhod Nationta Rìoghail anns an Dàmhair 2001. Bhon uairsin bha iad a’ cluich aig fèis Pan Celtic ann an Kilkenny ann an Èireann anns a’ Ghiblean 2002.

Bidh Barbecue ann far am faigh sibh biadh na mara (toradh ionadail) aig Port Nis feasgar Disathairne. Na caillibh a-mach air seo!

Tha an consart air an oidhche mu dheireadh ann an Club Sòisealta Nis. Bheir seo toileachas do dhaoine aig a bheil ùidh ann an òrain Ghàidhlig. Tha Isbel NicAsgaill às an Rubha ann an Leòdhas, na riochdaire airson òrain, Albannach Ghàidhlig. Tha i air trì clàran a chlàradh agus tha i air a bhith a’ dol air feadh an t-saoghail a’ toirt toileachas don luchd-amhairc leis an seinn mhiorbhailleach aice. Bidh John ‘Tonkan’ MacDhòmhnaill, às an Rubha, seinneadair eile a tha còrdadh ri daoine gu mòr eadhon air an àrd-ùrlar a-nochd. Bidh ‘Tonkan’ a’ seinn òrain Ghàidhlig, Albannach agus Country - gu leòr gus luchd-amhairc cèilidh a chumail dòigheil.