New manager appointed at  Islay Gaelic Centre.
The Board of Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle has announced the appointment of Andy Macdonald from Kintra, Port Ellen as Manager.

Andy brings a broad range of management experience to his new post, and a strong personal commitment to Gaelic and to developing Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle as a lead community centre for Gaelic education, arts and music.  Andy is learning Gaelic, and he is setting himself a strict target to achieve fluency in the language.

Andy, who will take up the post in October, said " Of course Gaelic is a critical element to this job, but an even more vital incentive for me to learn is to enable me to use Gaelic with my son, and my wife and her family!
“This island has a rich and unique Gaelic heritage! From music and song to history and legend, Islay has a powerful Gaelic tradition that our island community and our friends can celebrate through Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle.  ICCI has come a long way since the first discussion of a Gaelic cultural centre for Islay took place, and I am privileged to have the opportunity to continue the development of a Gaelic centre that the island can be proud of."

ICCI Chairman Robin Currie said, “I am delighted to welcome Andy as our new manager at ICCI. He brings valuable management experience to the job, and I have absolutely no doubt that he will build effectively on the good work that has taken place at the Centre since it opened 5 years ago.
“Most importantly of all perhaps Andy brings a very strong personal commitment to the objectives of ICCI, and to the future of the Gaelic language and culture in Islay. The successful evolution of this Centre owes much to the support of friends across the Gàidhealtachd, and beyond, and also very effective partnerships with key supporters such as Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Argyll and Bute Council, Argyll and the Islands Enterprise, and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and we continue to be totally committed to developing and expanding these links.
“It is also critical for us to nurture a sense of local community ownership of ICCI and it is extremely pleasing for the Board to see the Centre now staffed and run by Ìleachs!”

Ends.

Notes for news editors;
1.       Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile was officially opened on Friday 16th August 2002 by then Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mike Watson MSP
2.       Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile (The Columba Centre) is modelled on Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic college on Skye. The centre employs four staff and is designed to cater for up to 15 full-time students and two post-graduate research students as well as offering a range of short courses.
3.       ICCI cost £1.8 (m) to develop, and Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) contributed over £400,000 (pounds) to the cost of the building, including £75,000 (pounds) towards installing photovoltaic cells on the roof - hi-tech sun-slates which convert light into electrical energy to power the building.  A further £200,000 (pounds) came from the Department of Trade and Industry's Renewable Energy Programme, making Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile one of the first buildings in Scotland to have a photovoltaic roof.
4.       A former cottage hospital building and approximately two hectares of land at Gartnatra, near Bowmore were donated by Argyll and Bute Council and Islay Estates to establish Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile.  As well as being a centre for education, interpretation and enjoyment of Gaelic language and culture, the building also aims to appeal to a specialised conference market.
Further information from ICCI Board Chairman Robin Currie - 07990 942425