Mìos nan GàidhealPublished Jun 08, 2025 • 3 minute readStudents had the chance to play tunes with local musician Margie Beaton at Bayview Education Centre.Schools around Nova Scotia celebrated (Mìos nan Gàidheal) Nova Scotia Gaelic Month in fine form throughout May.There are 10 schools in the province that offer core Gaelic Language instruction and eight of those are in the Strait Regional Centre for Education. Some of these schools offer Gaelic studies as a Canadian history credit, as well.The SRCE schools celebrated in a variety of ways such as having students leading daily Gaelic announcements, sharing words of the day, raising flags, playing “Gaelic O Chanada,” creating visual displays, hosting cèilidhs and playing school-wide games.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentIt is evident by the rich variety of activities and the enthusiastic participation that Gaelic truly lives in our communities, as the theme for this Gaelic Month states: “S ann beò a tha a’ Ghàidhlig an Albainn Nuaidh: Gaelic lives in Nova Scotia.”In addition to daily activities, below were some of the events at SRCE schools:ST. ANDREW JUNIOR SCHOOLWeekly lunchtime ceilidhs were hosted in the Gaelic classroom and technology was used to make language learning fun. Bulletin boards were decorated with students’ connections to Gaelic culture. A highlight at St. Andrew Junior School was a school-wide Gaelic scavenger hunt, with all homeroom classes competing for a pizza party. Students hosted a final ceilidh featuring live local musicians and guests from Ireland. H.M. MacDonald Elementary School and Antigonish Education students enjoy a roast beef dinner and ceilidh.H.M. MACDONALD ELEMENTARY AND ANTIGONISH EDUCATION CENTREBoth schools have had an excellent Gaelic month with different activities. They kicked off the month early with a trip to the Battle Culloden Memorial Ceremony in Knoydart. Afterwards, they enjoyed a roast beef meal and a cèilidh at the Lismore Hall. On May 1, piper Kurtis Bryden piped staff and students into Antigonish Education Centre.Article content H.M. MacDonald Elementary School and Antigonish Education Centre students are shown at the Culloden Memorial.BAYVIEW EDUCATION CENTREThe month began with Là Buidhe Bealltainn — “The Lucky Day of May” — where students and staff wore yellow, a colour symbolizing luck in Gaelic tradition. A Gaelic spring concert was held on May 8, where students shared music, stories and dancing with their families and community members. Donations from the concert will support a field trip to the Highland Village in Iona. Fiddler Margie Beaton also joined the afterschool fiddle group for a few tunes as well. Students performed a Gaelic skit at the Gaelic Concert at Bayview Education Centre.WHYCOCOMAGH EDUCATION CENTREThe Grade 7-8 class was delighted to present their Gaelic cultural quilt to the school and thank Peggy Gillis and Mary Campbell for putting their quilt blocks together.Grades 4-6 Gaelic students were invited to the SRCE regional office to present to regional staff and principals. They shared the story of the Gaels, taught some Gaelic phrases and lifted their voices in song at the milling frolic. A mini-highland games, led by Grade 7 and 8 students was hosted for younger students, as well.Article content Students are shown reconnecting through dance with our Irish friends at Dalbrae Academy.DALBRAE ACADEMYOn May 16, the school welcomed two visitors from Ireland, Alanagh Ni Ghriofa and Becky Ní Éallaithe, through the Siar agus Aniar initiative supported by the Office of Gaelic Affairs. They shared traditional Irish music, dance, language, and cultural stories with the Gaelic and music classes. Their visit culminated in a lively square set in the cafeteria, with music provided by Dalbrae Academy students Taya MacDonald and Donald Gillis. This was a special highlight for the Gaelic 11 and 12 students, many of whom had recently returned from a cultural exchange trip to Ireland in March.On May 20, Gaelic classes had the opportunity to learn from researcher Lorrie MacKinnon, who presented on Gaelic singers from the Mabou area and the traditional songs they helped preserve. The session offered valuable insight into local oral traditions and emphasized the cultural importance of Gaelic song.Article content Guest speaker Lorrie MacKinnon at Dalbrae Academy.ST. ANDREWS CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLMary Janet MacDonald joined her grandson and his class for a cèilidh. MacDonald spoke about growing up surrounded by the Gaelic language and culture, and also about the step-dancing tradition. Luckily for students, she showed them how to bake some Scottish shortbread, danced a square set, and she even told a ghost story! It was a great visit. Mary Janet MacDonald is shown cutting the shortbread while at St. Andrews Consolidated School. Students at St. Andrews Consolidated School are shown thanking Mary Janet MacDonald for her visit.Gaelic Language students from across the SRCE met up at St. FX University on May 30 for a Gaelic Day to wrap up Mìos nan Gàidheal.“Bha sin trang ach bha spòrs againn. We were busy but we had fun!” Suas leis a’ Ghàidhlig. Up with Gaelic!Shelly Campbell is a teacher at Whycocomagh Education CentreArticle content
Nova Scotia Gaelic Month 2025 celebrations in Strait region schools
