THE world's biggest Gaelic festival, The Royal National Mòd, boosted Glasgow's economy by £3.2million after the city hosted the event last year.

The Royal National Mòd, also known as Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail, took place in the city in October last year and attracted over 12,000 visitors to the city.

Estimates previously showed that The Royal National Mòd was expected to boost Glasgow's economy by £2million, but a new report by STR & The Glamis Consultancy shows that the festival breezed past this figure, boosting the economy by £1.2million more than expected.

Glasgow Times:

The economic boost was celebrated by Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council, who said: “It was a memorable week celebrating the Gaelic language and its culture when the Mod returned to Glasgow for the first time in 30 years.

"The economic impact is one of the many direct benefits the Mod brings but more importantly it highlights the diverse range of talent from the very young to professional artists performing in Gaelic."

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A programme of over 200 events including live music performances, ceilidhs, sports and literature showcases were hosted in Glasgow over a nine day period from October 11th to 19th.

The festival first launched in 1892, with Glasgow last playing host to the programme of events 29 years ago in 1990.

President of An Comunn Gàidhealach, Allan Campbell, said: "This is the first time that the festival has been hosted in Glasgow since 1990 and we are ecstatic about the healthy number of individuals that came to the city to celebrate with us."

Glasgow Times:

The Royal National Mòd also boasted a popularity rise, with visitors to the festival increasing, as well as around two thirds of the festival-goers saying that they would return to Glasgow again.

Shona MacLennan, CEO of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: "The range and number of participants as well as the those attending the event bear testament to the increasing popularity of Gaelic language and culture, and its contribution to the Scottish economy."

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Glasgow, which is currently hosting its annual Celtic Connections music festival, proved to be a hit with festival goers and organisers.

Mòd Ghlaschu 2019 Convenor, Donald Iain Brown, said: "Without doubt, Glasgow has proven to be a perfect choice to stage the Mod and we are confident that that it won’t be another 29 years before the Mod returns to Baile Mòr nan Gaidheal – the City of the Gaels.”

This year, The Royal National Mòd will be held in Inverness in October.