A’ tarraing Gàidheil Ghlinne Garraidh bho thobair Mhic-Talla

Abstract

This thesis investigates the Gaelic heritage of Glengarry County, Ontario, by analyzing contributions made by or about Gaels of Glengarry County in Mac-Talla (1892–1904), a historically and culturally significant all-Gaelic newspaper published in Sydney, Nova Scotia. While Glengarry County has long been recognized as a major Gaelic settlement in Canada, no study to date has systematically examined Gaelic narratives concerning the Gaels of Glengarry in Mac-Talla. This research uses a textual analysis to explore the themes and values present in news items, including letters, song-poems, and articles. It examines how these texts reflect the Gaels of Glengarry County’s perceptions of their community, language, and cultural identity. The findings reveal that the Gaels of Glengarry County placed particular emphasis on ancestry, agriculture, hospitality, and military experience. Moreover, evidence suggests that Mac-Talla played a key role in fostering Gaelic literacy and sustaining a sense of collective belonging amid language decline. By foregrounding these Gaelic narratives, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of Gaelic heritage in Glengarry County at the turn of the 20th century.