30/08/2026
Next week, we’re bringing Deiseil home to Galloway, where Amy grew up.
Gaelic was widely spoken in Galloway until the 17th century and like Galway in Ireland, the name itself means the ‘land of strangers’ as the Gaels were once known.
With shows in Dalry, Kirkcudbright and Thornhill, Old School Thornhill and talks at the CatStrand and the , we have a rich week in store.
We’ll be joined by wonderful guests including piper Allan MacDonald, our director Gerry Mulgrew, singer and D&G Gaelic officer Emily Smith, ethnologist Alyne Jones and musician and Deiseil board member David Francis.
A leading figure in the Gaelic musical scene, Allan MacDonald is in demand internationally as a composer, musical director, piper, singer, workshop leader, and lecturer on Gaelic music. Allan played an important role in the development of Deiseil: Dancing in Time and can be heard in the show recorded and live as a special guest.
Gerard Mulgrew is a multiple award winning director and co-founder of Communicado Theatre Company. Gerry co-created Deiseil with Amy and Alison as well as directing the show.
For over a decade, multi award winning singer Emily Smith has entertained audiences all over the world with her blend of traditional and original songs. Emily is also Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Gaelic Development Officer, promoting the language through community outreach and interactive events like Gaelic Bookbug sessions.
Alyne Jones is an Ethnological Consultant and Practitioner based in Galloway. She advises organisations and individuals and has created and collaborated on many projects over the years, in the 20th and 21st Centuries.
David Francis is a songwriter, lyricist, storyteller, guitarist, and dance-caller. He recently retired as Director of Scotland’s network of traditional music organisations, the Traditional Music Forum.
You can find out more about our guests as well as tickets, times and venues on the event pages via link in bio.
