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A visionary new strategy for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s museum service is the intention behind ‘The Links Project’ which is organising a major conference to be held at Lews Castle College on the 26-28 April.
The Links Project aims to extend museum audiences and to promote access to and involvement in the distinctive cultural inheritance of the Western Isles with the Gaelic language at the core of the project.
Museum nan Eilean is the local authority Museums Service for the Western Isles. Established in 1983, the Museums Service is part of the Arts & Leisure Section within the Department of Sustainable Communities in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Museum nan Eilean operates from two locations - the main base in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis and another base in Sgoil Lionacleit in Benbecula.
Museum nan Eilean is responsible for the care and preservation of substantial Collections of national and international importance. These Collections represent a cross section of island life and culture from early people to contemporary communities and are held by Museum nan Eilean, on behalf of the community, as a public resource. As a local authority service a free programme of exhibitions and outreach activities are offered that invite people to learn about Hebridean history and discover a layered landscape of human life.
Partners on the Links Project have been:
Comainn Eachdraidh
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Social Work
Education
Sgioba na Ghaidlig
Western Isles Tourist Board
Western Isles Health Board
Seirbhis Arc-eòlas nan Eilean Siar
Western Isles Enterprise
Leader+
Proiseact nan Ealan
Fosglan - Lews Castle College
Partnerships for Change
Taking the Links Project Forward
Conference/Co-Labhairt
26–28 April 2005
Venue: Council Offices, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Sandwick Road
Conference Centre, Lews Castle College
Tuesday 26th April
Council Offices, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Sandwick Road
|
6.00pm |
Registration |
6.55 |
Introduction |
7.00 |
Welcome: Alex Macdonald, Convenor, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar |
7.15 |
Keynote Address:
Domhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart – Celtic and Scottish Studies, Edinburgh University
Indebted to the Comann Eachdraidh: History Before Us and After Us |
8.15 |
Reception: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar |
Wednesday 27th April
Conference Centre, Lews Castle College
|
9.15am |
Welcome: David Green, Principal Lews Castle College |
9.30 |
Interpretation, Language and Identity
Chair - Chrisella Ross
Pat Cooke, State Heritage Service, Office of Public Works, Ireland
Exhibiting Language: Developing Exhibitions of Gaeltacht Culture - the Blasket Island Experience
Dana Macphee, Museum nan Eilean and Comann Eachdraidh Bharraigh
The Living Room, Links Pilot Project, Barra (Audio visual presentation)
Roddy Hegarty, Ulster Federation of Local Historical Societies
Addressing the Periphery – Ulsters ‘Island Project’ – The experience so far |
11.00 |
Tea/Coffee |
11.15am |
Around the Western Isles: Case Studies from the Comainn Eachdraidh
Chair – Iain Macarthur
Comann Eachdraidh Bharbhais and Bru
Gaelic Placenames from Shore to Shielings
Catriona MacCuish, Taigh Chearsabhagh
Carn Chearsabhagh
Donny Morrison, Comann Eachdraidh Pairc
Hebridean Connections - A Multimedia Experience of the People and Place of the Outer Hebrides
Comann Eachdraidh Uibist a Deas – Audio Visual Presentation
Cèilidh a Chanaidh – A visit to Canna, 2003 |
12.30pm |
Lunch |
1.30 |
Links the Conclusions: Looking Forward
Chair – Jane Mackinlay
Mark Elliot Collections Care and Management
Rachel Hunter Learning and Access
Aidan Walsh Interpretation
|
2:45 |
Tea/Coffee |
3.00 |
Group Discussions
Chair – Aidan Walsh |
4.15 |
Report Back and Summary |
Thursday 28th April
Conference Centre, Lews Castle College
|
9.15am |
A Framework for the Future
Chair – Donald Martin
Annie MacSween, Comann Eachdraidh Nis: I was there when…
John Murray, Comann Eachdraidh Bharbhais and Bru: Shaping Tasglan
Richard Langhorne, Museum nan Eilean: What Tasglan can do for you
Helen Smith, Rowan Tree Consultants:
Skills Building for the Future, a three year training programme |
10:30 |
Tea/Coffee |
10:45 |
Group Discussions
Chair – Donald Martin |
12.00 |
Report Back and the Way Forward |
1.00 |
Close |
Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk |
