The Royal National Mod 2013 to be held in Paisley

An Comunn Gaidhealach, organisers of Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (Royal National Mod), announced at their AGM on Friday 19 February 2010 that the Mòd will be held in Paisley in 2013. This will be the first time that the Mòd has been held in Paisley.

John Macleod, President of An Comunn Gàidhealach told Hebrides news Today that

“An Comunn have received, and considered, submissions from local authorities regarding the economic squeeze that they are feeling at the moment. Our Board of Directors have debated this issue thoroughly and concluded that the present three year planning process for Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail now needs to be extended to four years to give local authorities and supporters of the Mòd more opportunity to plan for the event. The early announcement of the 2013 venue is the first step in establishing this longer planning cycle.”

The Paisley Branch of An Comunn Gaidhealach submitted an application to host the Mòd in 2011 and then re-submitted the application for 2012.

The delay since 2011 has given the local organisers an opportunity to strengthen the current infrastructure and has allowed them to discuss the event with the organisers of the Falkirk 2008 Mòd and the Oban 2009 Mòd.

An Comunn Gàidhealach stressed that bringing the 2013 event to Paisley will allow the growing Gaelic speaking community in Renfrewshire and Glasgow closer access to the Mòd for the first time since the Mòd was held in Airdrie in 1993.

Mr Macleod concluded by saying “we have a duty to bring the Mòd to the growing Gaelic Communities across Scotland, as well as to the Highlands and Islands.

A twenty year delay in holding a Mod in West Central Scotland is far too long and I am sure the event will be welcomed by everyone.”

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