The Historical Society – Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mòr – was formed in 1994 with the help of Beathag Morrison of Comann na Gàidhlig. It was founded by Donald Black, Margaret MacDonald and Cathy Carmichael who became chairman, secretary and treasurer respectively. They held a public meeting at which nine others joined – most of whom are still involved in the Comann.
Domhnall MacIlledhuibh
The teacher’s house became vacant and, after negotiation with the former Strathclyde Regional Council, Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mòr was established in the schoolhouse at Achnacroish in 1995.
Opening of Comann Eachdraidh in 1995 at old schoolhouse with Donald Black & Ray Michie
Cathie NicIlleMhìcheil
Then the work started with great support from the islanders and others: historic photographs and artefacts ranging from Neolithic times to the present day were collected, traditional ceilidhs revived and Gaelic weekends initiated. The archive grew year by year with documents donated by islanders and people from much further afield and the work of promoting Gaelic continues.
As Gaelic emanated from Argyll (coastline of the Gael), we believe that Lismore is one of the remaining strongholds of Gaelic language and culture in the land. Books and wall maps were produced and a well stocked Gaelic library is now in existence.
Mairead Dhòmhnallach
The next stage of the project was completed in 2002 with the restoration of Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh under the excellent organisational skills of Tony Perkins the new project manager. Tony coordinated all the previous efforts of Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mòr and secured enough funding to restore the cottage and in 2003 Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh won the Tourist Board Award for best place to visit.
And finally the ambitious dream and vision of erecting a Heritage building alongside the cottage to bring it all together. The result is an ecologically friendly building designed to fit with the landscape and culture of this gentle and beautiful island which was completed in March 2007.
This article was originally published in December 2012. Our three founders have since died as has Ray Michie. Their legacy is immeasurable.
Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mòr
An Toiseach Bha an Comann Eachdraidh air a chur air bhonn ann an 1994 le cuideachadh bho Bheathag Mhoireasdan a bha ag obair aig Comann na Gàidhlig. Bha Domhnall MacIlleDhuibh sa chathair, Mairead Nic Dhòmhnaill na Runaire agus b’e Catriona NicIlleMhìcheil an Neach-ionmhais. Bha coinneamh phoblach aca far an d’tàinig naoinear eile còmhla, agus tha iad uile fhathast an sàs anns a’ Chomann Eachdraidh. Bha an seann taigh-sgoile falamh agus às dèidh bruidhinn ri Comhairle Shrath Chluaidh, bha Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mòr air a steidheachadh anns an taigh-sgoile aig Achadh na Croise anns a’ bhliadhna 1995.
An uair sin thòisich an obair le tòrr taic bho na h-eileanaich fhèin agus daoine eile, bha dealbhan agus gnothaichean eile, bho’n an linn Nuadh Leacaich gus an latha an diugh air an cruinneachadh. Chuir iad cèilidhean air dòigh, Deireadh-sheachdain Gàidhlig agus iomadh rud eile. Dh’fhàs an stuth aca nas motha a h-uile bliadhna le cruinneachadh stuth bhon Eilean agus àiteachan nas fhaide air falbh.
Tha an obair airson a’ Ghàidhlig a bhrosnachadh a’ dol air adhart. A chionn’s gun do thòisich Gàidhlig ann an Earra-Ghàidheal, tha sinn a’ creidsinn gur e Lios Mòr aon de na h-àiteachan far a bheil an cànan agus an cultar làidir san latha an-diugh.
Tha leabhraichean agus mapaichean air an dèanamh agus tha leàbharlann Gàidhlig fior mhath ann cuideachd.
Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh
Bha an ath phìos dhen phròiseact deiseil ann an 2002, le bhith a’ càradh Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh, le stuireadh bho Tonaidh Perkins an t-Oifigear Pròiseact ùr againn. Chuir Tonaidh rudan air dòigh airson barrachd taic airgid fhaighinn airson an Taigh a chàradh. Ann an 2003 bhuannaich Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh duais airson an àite as fheàrr tadhal air, leis a’ Bhòrd Turasachd.
Agus a nise……….bha an togalach ùr seo deiseil anns a’ Mhàrt 2007 agus thug sin am pròiseact seo gu crioch. Tha an togalach seo a’ suidhe gu math leis an àrainneachd, an cultar agus an Eilean bhrèagha a tha seo.