A () or () is a traditional Gaelic arts and culture festival. The plural forms are () and (). The term is commonly used referring to Irish dance competitions and, in Scotland, to immersive teaching courses, specialising in traditional music and culture. In Scottish Gaelic, the accent is important because there is a difference of meaning and pronunciation between and — the word means sexual intercourse. History In Ancient Ireland communities placed great importance on local festivals, where Gaels could come together in song, dance, music, theatre and sport. The largest of these was the , the great festival at Tara, which was then the city of Ireland's , or "High King". These feiseanna were a rich opportunity for storytellers to reach a large audience, and often warriors would recount their exploits in combat, clansmen would trace family genealogies, and bards and balladeers would lead the groups in legends, stories, and song. These gatherings eventually gave rise to athletic and sporting competitions, including horse- and chariot-racing, as well as feats of strength and endurance. Modern (Scottish) Over the past thirty years, the movement has rapidly gained momentum across Scotland. The movement came about when a group of parents and other individuals – including Fr Colin MacInnes, Dr Angus MacDonald, Kenna Campbell and Isbhbel T MacDonald – on the Isle of Barra became concerned that local traditions were dying out and that island children were not being taught traditional music in the context of formal education. To address this issue the first was held on the island in 1981. Inspired by the success of this first , many other communities throughout Scotland established similar events. Today there are 47 , each one community-led and tailored to local needs. The modern is an opportunity for individuals to come together to develop skills in the Gaelic arts – song, dance, drama, and traditional music on a wide range of instruments. Commitment to Gaelic language and culture is central to the ethos, with opportunities for the use and transmission of Gaelic language within each a core aspect. Tuition is accessible and fun, but professional and effective. The focus of activity for most is an annual, week-long festival, but increasingly offer a full programme of year-round follow-on classes to ensure sustained provision. The skills taught at are a highly valued aspect of the informal education of young people, as demonstrated by the level of volunteer