On loan from Donegal County Museum, Ireland, Cuairt Chaluim Chille/Touring St Columba is moving from Campbeltown to Islay, from October 27 to spring 2024.
The year long visit weas launched on June 9, 2023, the Feast Day of St Columba in the Kintyre town.
Cuairt Chaluim Chille/Touring St Columba is created by Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly, Argyll and Isles (CHARTS), supported by Argyll and Bute Council and will include workshops and events with opportunities for participation by Irish and Scots Gaelic artists and cultural practitioners.
This exhibition celebrates the life and legacy of Colmcille and was displayed throughout Ireland in 2021, marking the 1500th anniversary of the birth of Colmcille.
For the first time, the exhibition is coming to Scotland and has kindly been loaned by Donegal Museum to tour Argyll throughout 2023/24.
The second leg of Cuairt Chaluim Chille /Touring St Columba on Islay will be launched from 2.30pm to 4.00pm at the Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile/Islay Gaelic Centre.
The afternoon will feature an introduction from CHARTS Oifigear Cultair Ghàidhlig Àdhamh Ó Broin and Gaelic performances from Diane Cannon and Alasdair Whyte, along with light refreshments.
Anyone living locally, is welcome to turn up on the day and join in celebrating the exhibition opening.
“I’m thrilled to be able to join staff at Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle and the people of Islay in welcoming this lovely bilingual exhibition on the life of St Columba,” said Àdhamh Ó Broin, Oifigear Cultair Ghàidhlig, CHARTS.
“I hope to see as many people as possible from the local community coming out to enjoy a look around the exhibition and a contribution from some great Gaelic singers at the opening on Friday afternoon, October 27.”
Over the course of the exhibition’s stay on Islay, work from CHARTS Colmcille Awards 2020-22 artists will be on display along with films and workshops in collaboration with Chaluim Chille Ile/Islay Gaelic Centre.
The partnership between Argyll and Ireland is made possible with joint support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Foras na Gaeilge to further build relationships between Gaelic speakers and artists in Ireland and Scotland grown during the themed year Colmcille 1500.