Death of renowned Gaelic bard Aonghas ‘Dubh’ MacNeacail

Tributes have been paid to the influential Gaelic bard Aonghas ‘Dubh’ MacNeacail who has died aged 80 years.

Mr MacNeacail from Idrigil in Skye was recognised internationally as a broadcaster, scriptwriter, opera writer and translator.

A mid-Minch chance encounter with Donald Shaw of Caperceillie on the Stornoway ferry resulted in the band being offered his then newly-written ballad, Breisleach, which lent its name to the title of their 1991 album, Delirium.

RunRig invited him to their final fling where he gave readings to the audience.

The native Gaelic speaker attended Uig Primary school progressing to Portree High School.

Later he would study at Glasgow University.

He gave poetry readings at major literary festivals across the globe - in Russia, Japan, Poland, Israel, the U.S.A., Canada, and throughout Western Europe.

His work has been published in many languages, including German, Italian, Irish Gaelic, French, Hebrew, Finnish and Serbo-Croat.

In 1997, he won the prestigious Scottish Writer of the Year Stakis Prize with his third collection, Oideachadh Ceart (A Proper Schooling and other poems).

He has received three Scottish Arts Council writers’ bursaries, and was awarded a Society of Authors travelling scholarship, in 2003.

However, his early work was composed through the medium of English. In his mid-20s he dabbled in Gaelic poetry but only took up the mantle of a Gaelic poet following a writing fellowship at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in 1977.

“A true loss to Scottish culture,” said the Saltire Society which hailed him an “outstanding” poet.

The Scottish Poetry Library posted: “With great sadness we hear of the passing of the great Gaelic poet Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail. As a founder of the SPL, and a bright light on Scotland's poetry scene for decades, he'll be hugely missed. RIP.”

Aonghas MacNeacail is survived by his wife, Gerda Stevenson, and their children, Somhairle Rob and Galina Edith.

BBC Alba is to air a documentary tonight celebrating his achievements.

The pre-scheduled hour-long programme draws from “Skerries, Trawlings, Tides” - a literary event celebrating the acclaimed Scottish writer - who is originally from Skye - on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

Recorded in the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, musical friends including Brìghde Chaimbeul and Savourna Stevenson perform and the evening features specially-composed music from Mary Ann Kennedy, Anna-Wendy Stevenson and a host of musical stars.

The documentary - entitled Aonghas Dubh | Ceòl às na Briathran - also includes conversations with Aonghas, partner and actress Gerda Stevenson and his son Rob as they reflect on the career of a man who drew so heavily on the Gaelic language to construct his work. Aonghas Dubh - Ceòl às na Briathran airs at 9pm

Death of renowned Gaelic bard Aonghas ‘Dubh’ MacNeacail

21 December 2022