Bliadhna Mhath Ùr dhuibh – Happy New Year to you all!
And Happy Hogmanay!

Below are scenes from Hogmanay around Scotland from last year for you to enjoy. May all your fires burn brightly throughout the year.

Something to think about: Scottish customs of the new year contain messages that can be relevant to how we think about entering 2016. While bonfires celebrate the lengthening of daylight and thus the “return” of the sun, in our own lives, we can use fire to call forth the light and passion within each of us, calling us to be our best selves in the months to come. By our own candles or fires, we can decide what goals for spiritual and personal growth we will set for ourselves, and link ourselves to our heritage and ancestors.

And even the ancient custom of first footing – the belief that a tall, dark, handsome stranger coming to your door the first thing after midnight of the New Year brings good fortune to the household. The idea of first footing is that the first person who comes through your door indicates the character of your New Year. On the one hand, by offering hospitality to the visitor you begin your year with a generosity of spirit. On the other hand, we can  consciously choose what we admit through the front door, then open that door with great intention and greet it!

The joys and gifts of life lie in the world we open our doors to.

Am bi thu a’ dèanamh amas na Bliadhna Ùire gu ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig ann an 2016? Ceangail sinn!

Will you make a New Year resolution to learn Gaelic in 2016? Join us! The next Gaelic class is 6 January. Click here for the full schedule.

A typical Baltimore Gaelic School céilidh and class:

The next Burns Night is one month away. Join us at Liam Flynn’s Ale House. It’s always a grand time.

5th Annual Robert Burns Supper
7-11 PM, Sat., Jan. 23, 2016.
Liam Flynn’s Alehouse
22 West North Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland
Reservation & Ticket Information: liamsalehouse@gmail.com

Càirdean,

Our little study group has grown so much over the last year that we decided we are now a bit more than a study group.  Consequently, we announce a change in our name from the Baltimore Gaelic Study Group

TO:

Sgoil Ghàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhóir

(The Gaelic School of Baltimore)

A class at Liam Flynn’s Ale House

Teacher Scott Morrison recites “Ceithir Gaothan na h-Albann” (The Four Winds of Scotland) by Deòrsa Mac Iain Dheòrsa (George Campbell Hay)

ALSO:
As previously announced, we have a new location effective 13 January 2016.  We will be holding classes at the new Center for Neighborhoods at 10 E. North Avenue.  It’s fantastic to be just a block away from the Alehouse.  However, we have only one more class in the hidden recesses of Liam Flynn’s Alehouse that has been our home.

We’ll still gather at the Alehouse before and after classes, BUT

JOIN US FOR OUR FAREWELL TO THE ALEHOUSE CLASS:
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Liam Flynn’s Alehouse, 22 West North Avenue.

$10 per class The text we will be using is Teach Yourself Complete Gaelic by Boyd Robertson and Iain Taylor  If you do not have the text yet and want to attend, don’t worry about the book, just come!

We are also using lessons from Taic.

Càirdean,

THE NEXT GAELIC CLASS IN BALTIMORE IS:
Wednesday, 23 December 2015
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Liam Flynn’s Alehouse, 22 West North Avenue.

$10 per class The text we will be using is Teach Yourself Complete Gaelic by Boyd Robertson and Iain Taylor  If you do not have the text yet and want to attend, don’t worry about the book, just come!

We are also using lessons from Taic.

You’ll find the schedule of classes posted for December and January here.  Should the demands of the holidays cause any changes we’ll post them.

Come the new year the class will be relocating.  We hope to remain within walking distance of Liam Flynn’s Alehouse, but we are searching for a new site at this time.  If anyone knows of a good location in central Baltimore, please get in touch with Rick at richard.gwynallen@gmail.com.  The space should be able to accommodate 20 people plus room for easels, have sufficient chairs a conference table or multiple tables that can be arranged for a class, and allow food and drink to be brought in.

A class at Liam Flynn’s Ale House

Càirdean,

THE NEXT GAELIC CLASS IN BALTIMORE IS TONIGHT:
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Liam Flynn’s Alehouse, 22 West North Avenue.

$10 per class The text we will be using is Teach Yourself Complete Gaelic by Boyd Robertson and Iain Taylor  If you do not have the text yet and want to attend, don’t worry about the book, just come!

We are also using lessons from Taic.

Càirdean,

Busy schedules have struck gain.  Tonight’s Gaelic class is postponed.  To make up for it we have changed the November schedule.

THE NEXT GAELIC CLASS IN BALTIMORE IS:
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Liam Flynn’s Alehouse, 22 West North Avenue.

$10 per class The text we will be using is Teach Yourself Complete Gaelic by Boyd Robertson and Iain Taylor  If you do not have the text yet and want to attend, don’t worry about the book, just come!

We are also using lessons from Taic.

Càirdean,

THE NEXT GAELIC CLASS IN BALTIMORE IS:
Wednesday, 28 October 2015
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Liam Flynn’s Alehouse, 22 West North Avenue.

$10 per class The text we will be using is Teach Yourself Complete Gaelic by Boyd Robertson and Iain Taylor  If you do not have the text yet and want to attend, don’t worry about the book, just come!

We are also using lessons from Taic.

Càirdean,

THE NEXT GAELIC CLASS IN BALTIMORE IS:
Wednesday, 2 September 2015
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Liam Flynn’s Alehouse, 22 West North Avenue.

$10 per class The text we will be using is Teach Yourself Complete Gaelic by Boyd Robertson and Iain Taylor  If you do not have the text yet and want to attend, don’t worry about the book, just come!

We are also using lessons from Taic.  We will be working from Lesson 3.

Càirdean,

THE NEXT GAELIC CLASS IN BALTIMORE IS THIS COMING WEDNESDAY:
Wednesday, 19 August 2015
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Liam Flynn’s Alehouse, 22 West North Avenue.

$10 per class The text we will be using is Teach Yourself Complete Gaelic by Boyd Robertson and Iain Taylor  If you do not have the text yet and want to attend, don’t worry about the book, just come!

We are also using lessons from Taic.  In the last session we completed Lesson 2.