Gam Thàladh
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A live choral work presented at the O’Donoghue Centre, University of Galway, on 13 November 2025. The performance formed part of TULCA’s 2025 programme, Strange lands still bear common ground, curated by Beulah Ezeugo, and was delivered in partnership with the Arts in Action programme at the University of Galway.
Gam Thàladh began as a series of short texts moving between Scottish Gaelic and English tongues, written in, of, and with North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. These lyrical chapters emerged from meditative and deep listening experiences within lochs and from afar, contemplating shifting parallel worlds, and the hold of social bonds and friendships. Working in correspondence, these words were arranged into the current composition by Ellen MacDonald, who performed the piece alongside Ceitlin Lilidh and Eilidh Cormack. The performance is accompanied by a folded publication comprising lyrics, translations, sheet music, and contextual imagery.
Video documentation: Jonathan Sammon
With thanks to Creative Scotland for supporting the development of Gam Thàladh, and to Fèisean nan Gàidheal for supporting the work's presentation in Galway. Thanks also to Andrea Gobbi and Charlie Stewart for their work recording and mixing, and scoring, respectively. Thanks to RISOTTO for their work in printing the publication pages.
Live performance: spoken word & choral score for three singers