Colmcille is a partnership programme between Foras na Gaeilge and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, promoting the use of Irish Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic in Ireland and Scotland and between the two countries. Colmcille aims through its work, to foster understanding of the diverse experience and culture of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic communities and to encourage debate on common concerns in social, cultural and economic issues with a view to building self-confidence within the Gaelic language communities.
The aim of Colmcille is to bring together speakers of Scottish and Irish Gaelic:
a) to find out about and get to know each other, their languages, culture and heritage
b) to listen in depth to each other and share their cultural traditions
c) to share information, and cooperate to meet each others’ needs
d) to raise awareness of the natural, physical and cultural environment in which they live, and further the health and well-being of the Gaelic languages as part of that environment
e) to cooperate with the Scottish Gaelic speakers in Canada, and with speakers of Manx Gaelic
Working in partnership is the foundation of our work through Colmcille; it fosters friendship and relationships and builds structures in which people can collaborate. Colmcille operates through grant schemes and through facilitating and initiating projects.
Out of the contact between speakers of the two languages, it is possible to build common ground. Things that are familiar are often seen in a new way, different without being alien nor threatening. We can find a new space for Scottish and Irish Gaeilge: strength in diversity.
The Colmcille strategy for 2019 – 2021 can be downloaded here.
The Colmcille map (2011) can be downloaded here.
The Colmcille 1500 Logo can be downloaded here
