Nova Scotia Gaelic poet Lodaidh MacFhionghain at a “live” US National Mòd. The event has been online three years now.

The Online US National Mòd — Mòd Naiseanta Aimeireagaidh — returns this year Nov. 12 and 13, enabling attendees and competitors to enjoy the event from the comfort of their own homes.

ACGA will offer competitions in six categories, from singing for beginners to Scottish Gaelic storytelling, as part of its two-day celebration of Gaelic language arts.

The Mòd has been an online event since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. What was meant to be a temporary solution has become an ongoing one, as the online event draws more participants from across North America.

“ACGA has organized and held the US National Mòd since 1988, and it’s important to us that the event continues and evolves to draw more people to Gaelic song and culture,” said Liam Ó Caiside, ACGA president. “Going online has helped the event expand and grow.”

This year’s adjudicators will be announced shortly. Registration for the event is open online and all fees may be paid through PayPal or by credit card. There is a basic registration fee of $25 for all attendees. Competitors pay an additional $20 fee that covers all competitions.

The competitions this year will include:

• Poetry recitation (either own choice or a poem chosen by the adjudicator)
• Original Poetry Composition
• Storytelling (in Scottish Gaelic up to 5 minutes)
• Sight Reading (reading text selected by the adjudicator)
• Song for beginners (one song, for those who have never competed in a Mòd)
• Song at the general level (two songs, for those who have competed in a Mòd)

Competitors may choose their own songs and must submit them ahead of time to prepare the adjudicators.

In addition, there will be a cèilidh on Saturday after the competitions (typically from 4 pm to 6 pm), and workshops on Sunday led by the adjudicators.

“We are looking forward to welcoming friends old and new when we convene online Nov. 12,” Ó Caiside said.

ACGA is also considering a return to live events in 2023, perhaps organizing smaller local Mòds as well as the online national Mòd. Volunteers are always welcome!