Our 2015 Mòd is now over, and, as our title says, it was big, good, and encouraging! We had as many competitors over the course of two days as we’ve ever had (Mòr), the competitions were at an excellent level of skill (Math), and our adjudicator, Gillebrìde MacIlleMhaoil, left all of us with advice, encouragement, and a renewed dedication to the language and song of Scottish Gaelic (Misneachail)!

This year, in addition to Gillebrìde, we welcomed 2014 Gold Medalists Angus MacLeod and Eilidh Cormack, who gave us plenty of songs, great company, and a real appreciation of the beauty of the Gaelic language and culture we love and pursue. We look forward to tuning in to the Royal National Mod in Scotland in just a few weeks!

Then, we’ll start again on next year’s Mòd season – check out our web page (http://usmod.wordpress.com) and look to us on Facebook for more pictures and video! https://www.facebook.com/US-National-M%C3%B2d-M%C3%B2d-Naiseanta-Aimeireagaidh-153501591336693/timeline/

Here are the results of the 2015 US National Mòd:

Friday, September 25:

Storytelling:

1. Liam Cassidy
2. Cathleen Mackay
3. John Grimaldi

Poetry:

1. Barbara Lynn Rice

Sight Reading:

1. Cheryl Mitchell
2. Tied, Liam Cassidy and Connie Smith
3. Cathleen MacKay

Saturday, September 26:

Open song category:

1. Sharon McWhorter
2. Carol Kappus
3. John Grimaldi

Prescribed song:

Men

1. Tom Terry
2. Liam O Caiside
3. Ed Bradshaw

Women

1. Anne Alexander
2. Carol Kappus
3. Connie Smith

Work song:

1. Connie Smith
2. Liam O Caiside
3. Tom Terry

Puirt:

1. Ed Bradshaw
2. Carol Kappus
3. Anne Alexander

Choir:

1. Còisir Ghàidhlig Ameireagaidh

Unison/harmonized singing:

1. Sharon McWhorter & Lindy Lincicom
2. Anne Alexander & Ron Hazelett
3. Barbara Lynn Rice & John Grimaldi

Final song Results:

Men’s:

1. Tom Terry
2. Liam O Caiside
3. Ed Bradshaw

Men's 2015 Gold Medallist Tom Terry

Men’s 2015 Gold Medallist Tom Terry

Women’s:

1. Connie Smith
2. Carol Kappus
3. Anne Alexander
4. Lindy Lincicome

Women's 2015 Gold Medallist Connie Smith

Women’s 2015 Gold Medallist Connie Smith

Overall Mòd Gold Medal results:

Men’s:

1. Tom Terry
2. Liam O Caiside
3. Ed Bradshaw

Women’s:

1. Connie Smith
2. Carol Kappus
3. Anne Alexander
4. Lindy Lincicome

Awards:

Searrag Ghlainne nam Bàird (Edinburgh Crystal Decanter). Presented by Mòd co-founder Donald F. MacDonald to the winner of the competition in bàrdachd recitation at the Mòd.

Barbara Lynn Rice

Duais Dhaibhidh Mhic Risnidh (David MacRitchie Award). Presented for best traditional story in Gaelic.

Liam Cassidy

Duais Iain Mhic Mhurchaidh (John MacRae Award). Presented for best original poem submitted to the Mòd.

Barbara Lynn Rice

Duais Leòdhais agus na Hearadh (Lewis and Harris Award). Presented for best performance of a Lewis or Harris song (in memory of Donnie MacLean).

John Grimaldi

MacComb Shield for the Men’s prescribed highest score

Tom Terry

SCOTS Shield for Women’s prescribed song highest score

Anne Alexander

Herbert P. MacNeal Memorial Quaich. Presented by Clan MacNeil Society to highest scoring male solo singer (Gold Medal).

Tom Terry

Marietta MacLeod Memorial Quaich. Presented by Donald F. MacDonald to the highest scoring woman solo singer (Gold Medal).

Connie Smith