Poet and songwriter, Aonghas MacNeacail, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of Glasgow. He was made a Doctor of Letters (DLitt) for his contribution towards the preservation and promotion of Gaelic language and culture.

MacNeacail began writing poetry when a student at the University of Glasgow, and has been published in literary journals around the world. As lyricist and librettist, he has heard his words sung by some of Scotland's finest singers. He is a keen champion of the Gaelic language and writes in English and Gaelic (and more recently, in Scots); his work has been translated into many languages including French, Hebrew, Finnish and Serbo-Croat.

Aonghas’s son, Rob MacNeacail, will also be awarded an MA degree in Philosophy from the University of Glasgow in the same ceremony, taking place in the University of Glasgow’s Bute Hall on 28th June at 11:00.

Aonghas MacNeacail said: “I am delighted to be awarded this honorary degree by the University of Glasgow. As my son, Rob, will be receiving his degree in Philosophy, this is a particularly satisfying day for me.”

In 1997 MacNeacail won the prestigious Scottish Writer of the Year Stakis Prize with his third collection, ‘Oideachadh Ceart’/'A Proper Schooling and other poems'. He has held various Writer's Fellowships, including that shared between Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities, and received three Scottish Arts Council Writers’ Bursaries: he was also awarded a Society of Authors Travelling Scholarship, in 2003.  

Professor Murray Pittock, Head of the University of Glasgow’s College of Arts, said: “Throughout his career Aonghas has tirelessly promoted Gaelic language and culture and his collections have made a significant contribution to music and literature both in Scotland and abroad. The links between the University and the global Gaelic community are strong and ongoing and, for that reason, we are delighted to be awarding Aonghas MacNeacail the title of Honorary Doctor of Letters of the University of Glasgow.”

 

Ceum Urramach gu bhith air a bhuileachadh air a’ bhàrd Aonghas MacNeacail

Thèid Ceum Urramach bho Oilthigh Ghlaschu a bhuileachadh air a’ bhàrd agus an òranaiche,  Aonghas MacNeacail, air Dihaoine 28mh dhen Ògmhios. Bidh e a’ faighinn Ollamhachd Litrichean  (DLitt) airson a chuid euchdan ann a bhitha’ glèidheadh agus a’ brosnachadh cànan agus cultar na Gàidhlig.

Thòisich MacNeacail air bàrdachd a sgrìobhadh nuair a bha e na oileanach aig Oilthigh Ghlaschu, agus tha e air a chuid sgrìobhaidh fhoillseachadh ann an irisean litreachais air feadh an t-saoghail. Tha e air a bhriathran fhèin a chluinntinn air an aithris is air an seinn le cuid de na seinneadairean as fheàrr ann an Alba.’S e tosgaire a th’ ann dhan Ghàidhlig agus bidh e a’ sgrìobhadh ann an Gàidhlig agus ann am Beurla (agus bho chionn ghoirid, ann an Albais cuideachd); tha a chuid obrach air a bhith air a h-eadar-theangachadh gu iomadach cànan, Fraingis, Eabhra, Fionnais agus Searbo-Croatais nam measg sin.

Thèid ceum MA ann am Feallsanachd bho Oilthigh Ghlaschu a bhuileachadh air mac Aonghais, Rob MacNeacail, aig an aon chuirm ann an Talla Bhòid Oilthigh Ghlaschu air an 28mh dhen Ògmhios aig 11:00.

Thuirt Aonghas MacNeacail : “Tha mi air leth toilichte gu bheil an ceum urramach seo ga bhuileachadh orm le Oilthigh Ghlaschu. Bhon a bhios mo mhac Rob a’ faighinn a cheum fhèin ann am Feallsanachd , ’s e fìor latha thoilichte a tha seo dhomh.”

Ann an 1997  bhuannaich MacNeacail duais chliùiteach, Stakis marSgrìobhadair Albannach na Bliadhna leis an treas cruinneachadh aige, ‘Oideachadh Ceart’. Tha e air a bhith na Sgrìobhadair Caidreachais ann an iomadach àite, Oilthighean Ghlaschu agus Shrath Chluaidh nam measg sin, agus fhuair e trì Bursaraidhean Sgrìobhaidh bho Chomhairle Ealan na h-Alba: chaidh Sgoilearachd Siubhail Comann nan Ùghdaran a bhuileachadh air ann an 2003 cuideachd.

Thuirt an t-Àrd-Ollamh Murray Pittock, Ceannard Colaiste nan Ealan ann an Oilthigh Ghlaschu: “Tro chuid obrach, tha  Aonghas air  cànan agus cultar na Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh agus tha a chruinneachaidhean air cur gu mòr ri ceòl agus litreachas an dà chuid ann an Alba agus thall thairis. Tha na ceanglaichean eadar an t-Oilthigh agus coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig air feadh an t-saoghail làidir agus leantainneach, agus air an adhbhar sin, tha sinn air leth toilichte Ceum Urramach Ollamhachd Litrichean Oilthigh Ghlaschu a bhuileachadh air Aonghas MacNeacail.”

For more information please contact the University of Glasgow’s Media Media Relations Officer, NickWade, nick.wade@glasgow.ac.uk or on 01413307126 / Airson barrachd fiosrachaidh cuir fios gu  Oifis Meadhanan Oilthigh Ghlaschu Nick Wade, Oifigear nam Meadhanan: nick.wade@glasgow.ac.uk or on 01413307126.

First published: 28 June 2013

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