On Wednesday 28 August 2013 a celebration party was held in the café of Ionad Naomh Moluag to mark the awarding of Accreditation Status to Lismore Heritage Museum from Museums Galleries Scotland. This is a huge achievement and is the culmination of twenty years of work although our founders, Donald Black, Margaret MacDonald and Cathy Carmichael, could never have dreamed back then of where their courage and vision and their desire to preserve and promote the Gaelic culture and language was going to lead to. Their story is amazing.
Founder Cathy Carmichael
But they were not alone. Their enthusiasm stimulated that of others. Below are names (among many) that are very significant in the growth and development of Ionad Naomh Moluag. Without them we would not be where we are today. We offer them heartfelt thanks.
David White whose IT skills and contribution to the archive were invaluable. David has also donated many rare and valuable books to our Gaelic library.
Beathag Mhoirsdean from Comunn na Gàidhlig who helped to set the museum up and who was instrumental in securing the schoolhouse as the first museum.
Mike and Elaine Robertson whose help and support from the beginning to this day has been invaluable.
Cait McCullagh the first, museum development officer followed by Catherine Gillies and Jennifer Baker who were assigned the move from the schoolhouse to the new building at Port à Charrain. Catherine has continued to be an important part of our team.
The MacGregor family who so generously donated the land that the Centre and the cottage stand on
Tony Perkins, project manager; Shauna Cameron, architect and Stuart Carmichael, contractor; who together brought about the creation and realisation of our building.
Dr Sharon Webb, our curatorial adviser who has been of endless help.
The MacDougall McCallum Foundation who every year donate $500 to CELM and who have contributed valuable documents to our archive.
The huge band of volunteers and helpers who have run the Centre day to day for the last twenty years and who are the envy of our colleagues in other museums.
And finally, profound thanks are due to those who have worked to attain this amazing award: Bob Hay, Nic Jones and Lorraine King. It has been a huge task involving, as it does, mountains of paperwork.
We now look to the future with ever greater confidence and a determination to take the ambitions of our founders forward.
Thanks to Beth Campbell for the catering and the accreditation cake.
