The online entry system for this year’s Royal National Mòd is now open, An Comunn Gàidhealach has announced.
Competitors wishing to take part in the 2024 event, taking place from October 11 to 19 in Oban, have until midnight on May 31 to submit their entries.
Oban is fondly recognised as the home of the Mòd, with An Comunn Gàidhealach, the central organisation which runs the Royal National Mòd and the network of provincial Mòds across Scotland, founded there in 1891.
With the first Mòd also being held in the town in 1892, Oban is preparing to welcome back Gaeldom’s premiere musical and cultural event for the 17th time.
The Mòd revisited Paisley last year, marking the second time the Renfrewshire town had hosted the festival in a decade. Paisley built on its successful legacy from 2013 by delivering another superb festival, welcoming more than 8,000 visitors, including more than 2,000 participants to more than 200 events. It is hoped the Oban event will see an even greater swell of audiences.
The full list of Mòd competitions taking place, including singing, bàrdachd, instrumental, drama and Highland dancing categories, can be found in the Mòd syllabuses at ancomunn.co.uk/nationalmod/syllabus and entries can be submitted at enter.ancomunn.co.uk/.
The online element remains a popular way for those wishing to take part in the event from afar and allows competitors to enter, record and upload their performances through the digital system. The online competitions and performances will be showcased via the Royal National Mòd’s social media channels as part of the event in October.
Outside the syllabus, the popular TikTok competition and Sruth event will make a welcome return to the 2024 programme. Sruth is an event aimed at encouraging more natural conversation among young people and is a fantastic opportunity to meet and chat with some of the most well-known faces in the Gaelic world.
The senior competition syllabus will also welcome back the latest addition of an accompanied choirs’ competition, aimed at harmony singing groups consisting of between five and ten singers. The CalMac Competition, a solo singing contest introduced at last year’s Mòd, open to adult learners, will also return for 2024.
The Mòd art exhibition and competition will also enjoy its third year as part of the Mòd. Co-ordinated by the Highland Society of London, the hugely popular event champions creative work from across the Highlands and Islands. The exhibition will feature a special exhibition of last year’s winner, David Greenall of An Lanntair, Stornoway.
Marina MacKay, Mòd Officer at An Comunn Gaidhealach, said: “I strongly urge anyone thinking about applying for the 2024 Mòd to take the step to submit an application. Year after year, we see an incredible array of talent showcased and we expect this year’s festival in Oban to be no different.
"New faces often bring a fresh perspective to the Mòd, enriching our community with their talent and enthusiasm, so we encourage those who have not competed before to get involved. As ever, we expect to welcome the very best singers and players from across the Gaeldom to compete, socialise and celebrate at this important annual gathering.
"We are so looking forward to welcoming some of Scotland’s most outstanding talent to Oban in October."
Argyll and Bute Council Leader Robin Currie said: “The Mòd is the highlight of the Gaelic calendar and attracts competitors from every corner of the globe. It is a world-renowned event and plays a vital part in our cultural heritage. I would urge anyone thinking about applying to get their entry in as soon as possible.”
For more information, contact An Comunn Gàidhealach at info@ancomunn.co.uk or phone: 01851 703487.
The Royal National Mòd is supported by EventScotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Argyll and Bute Council, EventScotland, The Scottish Government, HIE, Caledonian MacBrayne, BBC ALBA and SQ.
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