Residents 'amazed' by flood of Gaels
THE Mod has been welcomed in Falkirk – despite leaving locals "a little bit amazed" by mass comings and goings of Gaelic-speaking visitors.
Speaking at the daily Mod press conference yesterday (Wednesday), An Comunn Gaidhealach president John MacLeod said things had been running smoothly.
"We have had a great welcome from Falkirk and I believe people are enjoying The Mod. They do seem a little bit amazed by what is happening but I think they are getting used to it.
"It's the first time the Mod has come to Falkirk and although it is not a traditional place to hold it, our numbers are similar to those Mods held in the south of Scotland among the youngsters."
National Mod convener Janet MacDonald revealed the number of entries in the children's competitions had actually gone up from last year and had increased steadily over the last few years from 1000 to around 1500.
Councillor Angus MacDonald, Falkirk Mod convener, said: "We are tremendously pleased with the feedback we are getting about how well the Mod has been going so far.
"We seem to be doing things right, which is a great relief to me. Now the fringe programme is getting beefed up as more and more people arrive in Falkirk and every venue with official Mod music events will be open to 3 a.m. – 4 a.m. on Thursday and Friday."
Councillor MacDonald also thanked Behind the Wall for its support during the initial stages of The Mod.
"Behind the Wall will be one of the hubs for enter-tainment for the rest of the week," he said.
Falkirk's first ever Mod has already produced more than a few highlights and note-worthy events:
- First Minister Alex Salmond announced a 2.7 million cash boost for Gaelic schools at Friday's opening ceremony.
- Saturday's fiddlers' rally at Falkirk Town hall was hailed a success.
- Special guest Jennifer Campbell from Dollar, grand-daughter of An
Comunn founder John Campbell, presented prizes at the boys' silver medal at Falkirk Town Hall on Tuesday.
- On Wednesday Gaelic development agency Bord na Gaidhlig launched their three-year 150,000 challenge fund to promote Gaelic language in communities and a Pre-School Staff Gaelic Course.
Competitions were still ongoing as The Falkirk Herald went to press and fringe events continue to entertain and inform.
This year's Mod should end on a high note with the convener's traditional ceilidh at the Park Hotel tonight (Thursday) and the final dance at Grangemouth Sports Complex with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers tomorrow (Friday).
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Weather for Falkirk
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
