09/07/2025
Meal do naidheachd Shona agus Peigi Ann!
Atharraichean ceannais aig Ceòlas Uibhist Earr. | Senior leadership changes at Ceòlas Uibhist Ltd
(English below)
Às dèidh trì bliadhna mar a’ chiad Cheannard aig Ceòlas Uibhist, bidh John Joe MacNèill a’ fàgail na dreuchd aig deireadh an Lùnastail.
Dh’fhoillsich John Joe san Fhaoilleach gun robh e an dùil fàgail. Bhon Ghiblean tha e air a bhith ag obair mar neach neo-cheangailte a’ coileanadh dreuchd a’ Cheannaird fhad ’s a bha pròiseasan fastaidh a’ dol air adhart.
Tha John Joe a’ fàgail na dreuchd gus a bhith na neach-obrach neo-cheangailte le ùidh ann an cànan, cultar agus leasachadh coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig, ceòl, agus craoladh, a bharrachd air farsaingeachd phròiseactan cruthachail eile. Tha e cuideachd a’ stiùireadh iomairt ùir – Còisir Òigridh Ghàidhlig Nàiseanta na h-Alba (CGNA).
Fo stiùir John Joe, tha Ceòlas air sìor-fhàs. Thuirt Iseabail NicAonghais, Cathraiche Ceòlas Uibhist - “Tha John Joe air cur gu mòr ri Ceòlas thairis air na trì bliadhnaichean a dh’fhalbh. Thugadh gu buil iomadh euchd san ùine aige còmhla rinn, a’ gabhail a-steach suim mhòr maoineachaidh fhaighinn bho na com-pàirtichean againn airson nan trì bliadhna a tha romhainn - a’ chiad uair don bhuidheann. Fo bhuaidh a cheannardais, chaidh riaghladh ro-innleachdail agus stiùireadh ionmhais làidir a chur an sàs, a’ cur na buidhne ann an suidheachadh làidir agus tha e air mòran iomairtean ùra a chur ri prògram Cheòlais a tha a’ sìor-fhàs. Cha b’ fhuilear dhomh luaidh a dhèanamh air a’ phàirt chudromach aig John Joe ann an leasachadh Cnoc Soilleir, gu sònraichte an t-adhartas mòr a chaidh a dhèanamh a thaobh togail an talla-èisteachd. Às leth a’ bhùird stiùiridh, an luchd-obrach, agus na coimhearsnachd fharsaing, tha sinn a’ guidhe gach soirbheachais dhan iomairt ùr aige. Tha sinn cuideachd airson taing a thoirt do John Joe airson a thaic leantainnich thairis air na mìosan a dh’fhalbh fhad ’s a bha e ag obair leis a’ bhuidheann air stèidh neo-cheangailte.”
Thuirt John Joe – “Tha e air a bhith na thoileachas a bhith ag obair le sgioba cho math – an luchd-obrach, am bòrd, an comataidh ionadail agus a’ choimhearsnachd fharsaing. Còmhla, tha sinn air uimhir a choileanadh, agus tha Ceòlas ann an suidheachadh fìor mhath. Tha mi a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith ag obair còmhla ri Ceòlas airson iomadh bliadhna ri tighinn. Tha mi a’ guidhe gach soirbheachais do gach neach a tha an sàs san ath chaibideil de thuras Cheòlais.” Tha Ceòlas ro-thoilichte ainmeachadh gu bheil Peigi Ann NicIlleMhaoil air aontachadh dreuchd Manaidsear Obrachaidh Eadar-amail a ghabhail os làimh airson bliadhna. Tha Peigi Ann air a bhith ag obair leis a’ bhuidheann airson còrr is 17 bliadhna, mar Mhanaidsear Oifis is Ionmhais o chionn ghoirid.
Thuirt Pauline NicDhòmhnaill, Iar-Chathraiche na buidhne – “Tha am bòrd anabarrach toilichte gu bheil Peigi Ann air aontachadh an dreuchd seo a ghabhail os làimh. Tha i na ball den sgioba fìor sgileil, le iomadh bliadhna de dh’eòlas ag obair leis a’ bhuidheann agus leis a’ choimhearsnachd. Bidh eòlas Peigi Ann deatamach agus sinn a’ gluasad chun na h-ath ìre de dhealbhadh, fosgladh agus riaghladh an dàrna ìre de Chnoc Soilleir.”
Thuirt Peigi Ann – “An dèidh 17 bliadhna, tha mi air bhioran fàilte a chur air caibideil ùr nam shlighe-chosnaidh. Tha mi a’ coimhead air adhart ris na cothroman agus na dùbhlain a tha romham. Tha mi fìor dhealasach a thaobh mo chuid obrach leis a’ bhuidheann agus tha mi deònach mo dhìorras a cho-roinn leis gach neach a tha an sàs ann – bhon sgioba luchd-obrach chun na coimhearsnachd nas fharsainge.”
Mu dheireadh, tha Ceòlas toilichte innse gun deach Shona Mhoireasdan ainmeachadh mar a’ chiad Stiùiriche Cruthachail do Cheòlas. Bidh Shona ag obair còmhla ri Peigi Ann, Iain Dòmhnallach (Stiùiriche Ealain Cheòlais), an luchd-obrach agus an sgioba nas fharsainge gus lèirsinn chruthachail na buidhne a chumadh agus a lìbhrigeadh, a’ togail air com-pàirteachasan a th’ ann mar-thà agus prògram inntinneach a leasachadh a tha freumhaichte ann an cànan, cultar agus dualchas na Gàidhlig, agus sinn ag ullachadh airson an talla-èisteachd fhosgladh ann an Ìre 2 de Chnoc Soilleir as t-Earrach 2026.
Thuirt Seonaidh Mac an t-Saoir, Stiùiriche Cheòlais – “Tha sinn air ar dòigh fàilte a chur air Shona gu dreuchd a’ chiad Stiùiriche Cruthachail aig Ceòlas. Tha an dreuchd seo a’ comharrachadh caibideil ùr inntinneach don bhuidheann, gu sònraichte agus sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ri fosgladh an talla-èisteachd ann an Ìre 2 de Chnoc Soilleir. Tha eòlas mòr aig Shona air ar freumhan cultarail, còmhla ri sealladh ùr a chuidicheas sinn gu fàs agus leasachadh. Tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith a’ faicinn a lèirsinn a’ tighinn beò fhad ’s a thèid am prògram cruthachail againn a shìor-leasachadh fo a stiùireadh.”
Thuirt Shona – “’S mòr m’ aoibhneas a bhith a’ gabhail orm dreuchd a’ chiad Stiùiriche Cruthachail aig Ceòlas, gu h-àraidh aig àm cho cudromach don bhuidheann. Chòrd e rium gu mòr a bhith ag obair air iomairtean Gàidhlig Cheòlais thar nan ceithir bliadhna a dh’fhalbh agus tha mi a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith a’ leasachadh agus a’ lìbhrigeadh phrògraman cruthachail a-nis. Tha mi air bhioran togail air an dìleab iongantach a chruthaich Ceòlas thar an 30 bliadhna a dh’fhalbh. Fhad ’s a dh’ullaicheas sinn airson an talla-èisteachd ùr fhosgladh ann an Cnoc Soilleir, tha mi a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith ag obair leis an sgioba gus prògraman inntinneach in-ghabhalach ùr-ghnàthach a chruthachadh a bhios a’ comharrachadh agus a’ neartachadh ar cultair agus ar coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig.”
Bu mhath le Ceòlas taing a thoirt do na com-pàirtichean maoineachaidh uile a’ gabhail a-steach Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Alba Chruthachail, Riaghaltas na h-Alba, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, agus Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean.
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After three years as the first Ceannard (Chief Executive) of Ceòlas Uibhist Ltd, John Joe MacNeil will be leaving the role at the end of August.
John Joe announced his departure in January and has been working in a freelance capacity for Ceòlas as Ceannard since April, whilst recruitment processes have been ongoing.
John Joe leaves the role to become a freelancer focussing on Gaelic language, culture, and community development, music, broadcasting as well as a range of other creative projects. He is also leading a new initiative – Còisir Òigridh Ghàidhlig Nàiseanta na h-Alba (CGNA) – the National Gaelic Youth Choir of Scotland.
Under John Joe’s tenure, Ceòlas has continued to grow from strength to strength. Isabell MacInnes, Chair of Ceòlas Uibhist Ltd, said – “John Joe has made a significant contribution to Ceòlas over the last three years. There are many highlights from his time with us, including securing a substantial sum of funding from our partners for the next three years – a first for the organisation. His leadership has brought robust, strategic governance and financial direction, putting the organisation in a strong position and he has added many new initiatives to Ceòlas’ growing programme. It would also be remiss not to mention John Joe’s pivotal role in the development of Cnoc Soilleir, particularly the important progress made towards the construction on the auditorium. On behalf of the board of directors, staff, and the wider community, we wish him every success in his new venture. We also want to thank John Joe for his continued support over the last number of months while working with the organisation on a freelance basis.”
John Joe said – “It has been a pleasure working with such a fantastic team – the staff, board, local committee and the wider community. Together, we’ve achieved so much, and Ceòlas is in a great position. I look forward to collaborating with Ceòlas for many years to come. I wish everyone involved in the next phase of Ceòlas’ journey the very best.” Ceòlas is delighted to announce that Peggy Ann MacMillan has agreed to take on the role of Interim Operations Manager for a year. Peggy Ann has worked with the organisation for over 17 years, latterly as Office and Finance Manager.
Pauline MacDonald, Vice-Chair of the organisation said – “The board is delighted that Peggy Ann has agreed to take on this role. She is a highly skilled member of the team with many years of experience working with the organisation and the community. Peggy Ann’s knowledge will be pivotal as we move to the next stage of planning, opening and managing the second phase of Cnoc Soilleir.”
Peggy Ann said – “Having been on this journey for 17 years, I am truly excited to be entering this new chapter in my career. I look forward to both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. I am fully committed to my work with the organisation and am eager to share my enthusiasm with everyone involved—from the staff team to the wider community.”
Finally, Ceòlas is pleased to share that Shona Morrison has been appointed as Ceòlas’ first Creative Director. Shona will work alongside Peggy Ann, Ceòlas’ Artistic Director Iain MacDonald, the staff and wider team to shape and deliver the organisation’s creative vision, build on existing partnerships and further develop a dynamic programme rooted in Gàidhlig language, culture and heritage, as we prepare to open the auditorium in Phase 2 of Cnoc Soilleir in Spring 2026.
Seonaidh MacIntyre, Ceòlas Director said – “We are delighted to welcome Shona into the role of Ceòlas’ first Creative Director. This appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the organisation, particularly as we look ahead to the opening of the auditorium in Phase 2 of Cnoc Soilleir. Shona brings a deep understanding of our cultural roots, together with a fresh perspective that will help us grow and evolve. We look forward to seeing her vision come to life and to the continued development of our creative programme under her leadership.”
Shona said – “I am delighted to take on the role of Ceòlas’ first Creative Director, especially at such a significant time for the organisation. I have enjoyed working on Ceòlas’ Gaelic initiatives over the past four years and look forward to now developing and delivering creative programmes. I’m excited to build on the incredible legacy Ceòlas has created over the last 30 years. As we prepare to open the new auditorium in Cnoc Soilleir, I am looking forward to working with the team to create exciting, inclusive, and innovative programmes that celebrate and strengthen our Gaelic culture and community.”
Ceòlas would like to acknowledge all funding partners including Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig Creative Scotland Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Highlands and Islands Enterprise
