GAELIC STUDENTS CELEBRATE SUCCESS AT PAN CELTIC FESTIVAL

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college on Skye, had every reason to be proud of its students last week when they returned from a successful outing to the Pan Celtic Festival in Tralee in Ireland. On their second visit to the international festival, the group returned with two trophies having competed against bands from Ireland, Wales, Brittany and Cornwall.

The students took first prize in the Traditional Group Song competition for the second year running and third prize in the New International Song competition. Joy Dunlop, a fourth year student from Connel near Oban said, "Having been at the Fèis last year and enjoyed it so much we were looking forward to returning to Tralee. The other competitors were excellent and we really enjoyed their performances. We were delighted with our prizes as we weren't expecting to do so well!"

In addition to taking part in competitions, the students played and sang at concerts, cèilidhs and sessions all over Tralee, along with fellow competitors from Scotland. They especially enjoyed meeting people from the other countries taking part, "The Pan Celtic Festival is extremely important in encouraging links between the Celtic countries", said Joy, "We were particularly pleased to be representing the College and Gaelic. Although we all speak different languages it is obvious that there is a strong link between us and our fellow Celts and that our shared culture brings us together."

The students received support from the College and from the Chairman of the Scottish Pan Celtic Committee, Alan MacColla, in organising and funding their trip and it is hoped that Sabhal Mòr students will be a regular feature on the Pan Celtic Festival programme in years to come.