MICHELLE MACLEOD

CHAIR

Michelle Macleod, originally from Lewis, is Professor of Gaelic at the University of Aberdeen. She has been interested in Gaelic drama since she participated in the Gaelic youth drama school when she was a student. She has written a number of essays about Gaelic drama and the book she edited A Century of Gaelic Drama won the Donald Meek prize in 2021.

Before she worked in Aberdeen University, Michelle was previously the Language Planning Manager at Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the first Director at The Columba Centre, Islay and a lecturer in Galway University, Ireland. Some of her other current commitments include being the Chair of the Catherine McCaig Trust, which supports Gaelic education initiatives, and being a member of the UK’s Strategic Committee for Languages in Higher Education.

rosemary ward

Rosemary was brought up on the Hebridean island of South Uist where she began her lifelong involvement with the Gaelic language. She started to learn Gaelic when she attended Garrynamonie Primary and she completed her school education, gaining formal qualifications in Gaelic, in the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway.

She trained as a primary teacher and was the first Gaelic Medium immersion teacher appointed to the Sir John Maxwell Gaelic Unit in Glasgow. She went on have a long association with the development of Gaelic education in Argyll and Bute Council before becoming the Education Director for Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

In 2010, she became the Director of the Gaelic Books Council and steered the organisation to the position it now enjoys as the lead organisation for Gaelic literature. She is currently the Director of Programme at Scottish Book Trust and maintains her links with Gaelic through her voluntary work as Secretary of Urras Brosnachaidh na Gàidhlig (The Gaelic Language Promotion Trust). She has two children, Sean and Eilidh, and lives in Dumbarton with her husband Gerard.

MICHAEL JOHN O' NEILL

TREASURER

Michael John O’Neill is a playwright and freelance producer. He previously worked at the Tron Theatre as Creative Producer and in this role, Michael expanded the theatre’s artistic development strategy into a core activity termed Tron Theatre CREATIVE, he managed a network of residencies, awards and provided platform opportunities that supported artists to make the best use of the venue to signal boost their work and practice. Michael’s other responsibilities at the Tron included working with the Artistic Director on the in-house and visiting programme, exploring and negotiating new creative partnerships, and line-producing select Tron Theatre Company productions. As a Glasgow-based producer, Michael has also worked with companies including National Theatre of Scotland, Tramway, The Arches, Blood of the Young, Little King, Bijli and SUPERFAN.

MAIRI TAYLOR 

Mairi Taylor began her arts and equalities career after her masters degree in 2003.  Since then she has worked across Scotland, the UK and internationally.  Mairi has experience as a producer, project manager, consultant, trainer and artist. From 2010 - 2016 she was director of flip – Disability Equality in the Arts with Robert Gale. She is currently Executive Producer at Birds of  Paradise Theatre Company.  Mairi believes that building relationships – whether with audiences, partners or collaborators – brings about real change through increased confidence and understanding and is interested in the parallels between the disabled and the Gaelic arts sectors. Mairi has a BFA MA Hons Oxon from the Ruskin (1999) and an MFA from Duncan of Jordanstone (2003).  She is learning Gaelic (slowly!).