Marcas Mac an Tuairneir


Marcas Mac an Tuairneir is a Scottish writer and singer. He writes and publishes in Scottish Gaelic and English.

Life

He was educated at the University of Aberdeen, earning a master's degree in Gaelic and Hispanic Studies in 2008. He earned a MLitt in Scottish and Irish Studies from that university in 2010 and he wrote his thesis about homosexuality and -eroticism in the poetry of Crìsdean MacIlleBhàin and Cathal Ó Searcaigh. He completed a master's degree in fiction for television at Glasgow Caledonian University between 2011 and 2012.

Poetry

Mac an Tuairneir has published poetry in Cabhsair, Irish Pages and Poetry Scotland, among other publications.
He published his first collection, Deò, in 2013. His second collection, Lus na Tùise, was published in 2016. In 2018 he co-authored the Gaelic-Scots-English-language pamphlet 'heelster-gowdie / beul-fo-bhonn' alongside Staurt A. Paterson.
In 2014, he won a Highland Literary Salon prize for his poetry and both first and second place in the Baker Prize. In 2015, he placed second in the William Blake Poetry Prize for his English language poetry. He was shortlisted for the Gaelic award at the Wigtown Book Festival in 2015, 2016 and 2019 and won outright in 2017. In 2012 he was shortlisted at the Comórtas Filíochta an Chornéil Uí Néill and, in 2016, for the Douglas Hyde award at the Strokestown Poetry Festival, both Irish organizations. In 2016, he won the competition 'Write Up North!" at the Scottish Association of Writers.
He contributes literary and artistic criticism and essays to Cothrom Ùr Bella Caledonia and Dàna. He has had articles published in The Scotsman, The Scottish Express, Am Pàipear and is a regular contributor to Bella Caledonia, who named him one of their top alternative media personalities in 2018. He is the Gaelic editor of the magazine The Poets' Republic and co-edits their online series, Poets React.

Drama

Mac an Tuairneir won the New Gaelic Dramatist award in 2016 at Playwrights' Studio Scotland and Comhairle nan Leabhraichean. He has written three plays.
'Diuchdadh' was performed at Eden Court, Inverness, in March 2016, directed by Mac an Tuairneir himself. The script, written in verse, is his own work. 'Tilleadh' and 'Tioradh' are his other dramas.

Music

Mac an Tuairneir is a member of Trosg, which has performed at Celtic Connections, the Belladrum Festival, and many other concerts. In 2016, he was an An Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medal Finalist, where he sang 'Cumha an t-Seana Ghàidheal' and 'Cànan nan Gàidheal.'
His poetry has been sung by Ceitidh Chaimbeul, Malina Dhòmhnallach, Rachel Walker and Gillie NicCoinnich, among others. There is an established creative partnership between him and the singer Mary Ann Kennedy; together, they have composed the following songs: 'Ainneamhag' for the Inverness Gaelic Choir, which won second place in the Lovat and Tullibardine Awards of 2016; 'Grioglachan', in memory of the late Magaidh Dhòmhnallach. Marcas has also written songs alongside Marit Falt and Rona Wilkie, Padruig Moireasdan and Paul Walker. He is a member of the LGBT music collective 'Bogha-froise.'
In 2018 the promotional video of the song 'Buille / Brag' co-written with Nick Turner was released to youtube.
Mac an Tuairneir is a member and Gaelic tutor of the Lothian Gaelic Choir.

Media

Mac an Tuairneir is a regular contributor on BBC Radio nan Gaidheal and BBC Alba. He appears monthly on Radio nan Gàidheal's 'Feasgar'. Notable TV appearances include the 2018 Trusadh Broadcast 'Leabraichean Gàidhlig'.

Writings