Royal National Mod News

An Comunn Gàidhealach Announce Royal National Mod 2021 and 2022 Host Cities

Published: 23 Mar 2018

​At its AGM this evening (Friday 23 March), An Comunn Gàidhealach announced that Perth will host the Royal National Mòd in 2021, with the event going to Paisley in 2022. Scotland’s biggest Gaelic cultural festival returns to Perth for the first time since 2004, whilst Paisley first hosted the event in 2013.

Paisley and Perth were announced as the two host cities for 2021 and 2022 at last year’s Royal National Mòd, however it was decided to delay choosing which city would host which year, whilst Paisley awaited the result of its application for the UK City of Culture 2021.

With Paisley missing out on the bid, the Board of Directors of An Comunn Gàidhealach then used a point scoring system to mark the entries from both cities. The application which drew more points would host 2021, whilst the other would host 2022.

John Morrison, Chief Executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach said:

“We were in a unique position last year as to who would host the 2021 and 2022 Royal National Mòds. Both applications were extremely impressive, so the decision was made that each would become a host city, however we would wait until the City of Culture announcement had been made before choosing which city would host which year. Both applications were put through a rigorous point scoring system by our board members, with Perth marginally receiving more points, meaning the 2021 Mòd would be held there.

We very much look forward to returning to Perth for the first time in 17 years, particularly with such a strong Gaelic heritage in the area. Paisley’s 2013 Royal National Mòd was widely perceived as one of the best in recent years by Mòd regulars, staff and competitors, so to be returning to the city for a second time will be fantastic.

The Royal National Mòd 2018 begins on October 12 in Dunoon, running through to October 20, celebrating the best of Gaelic literature, music, singing, language and art, with competitions for all ages and abilities.

Councillor Murray Lyle, Leader of Perth & Kinross Council, said:

“I’m delighted to learn the Royal National Mòd will return to Perth in 2021. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring Gaelic to the forefront and showcase our area’s Gaelic culture and heritage. We are tremendously excited and inspired by the opportunity to host one of Scotland’s most iconic events, at a time when we are investing in culture by supporting venues such as Perth Theatre and the rebirth of City Hall. Perth and Kinross has a great record of delivering world-class events, and this premier festival of Gaelic culture will bring a real ‘buzz’ to the city and a welcome boost to the local economy.”

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron - vice-chair of the local organising committee, said:

“We are delighted the Royal National Mòd is coming back to Paisley in 2022. Paisley people are known as Buddies for a reason - a warm welcome for Gaels from across Scotland and beyond is guaranteed.

“The event’s one previous visit to Paisley - in 2013 - was the second-largest in its history, with 8,000 people over nine days, a £1.4m economic impact for the area, and a tremendous festival atmosphere around the town.

“Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021 raised our profile as a key destination within Scotland. One of the ways we will build on that is by growing our already-successful events and festivals programme over the next few years - and the return of the Mòd will be a key date within that.”

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