(Held with the Dept of Celtic Studies, St. Francis Xavier University)
The Clan Donald Trust for the Gaelic Performing Arts and the Robert Burns Society of Charleston congratulates Mr Jay Hackney for winning the 2026 Sister Margaret A. MacDonell Memorial Prize in Gaelic Poetry.
Born in Montreal and now living in Nova Scotia, Mr Hackney is a student of the Scottish Gaelic language, and of Celtic culture and tradition. He studies regularly with the Gaelic College (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia) both immersion studies and online, as well as participating in local conversation circles.
He is also a competitive solo piper and a piper in the Dartmouth & District grade 4 band which allows him to deepen his connection to the Celtic world through music.
Art is integral to his daily life, whether reading and writing poetry (Somhairle MacGill-Eain is a favourite), studying the language, or playing music, and he practices those arts daily.
Mr Hackney’s Scottish heritage traces back to the Cloustons of Netherbigging in the 1600s and later Stromness, Orkney, and to the Sinclairs of Caithness.
Mr Hackney is semi-retired and continues to do some agriculture consulting work, enjoys the outdoors and camping, help his children on their farm, and spending time with grandchildren. His dog keeps him quite busy as well.
Mr Hackney’s poem in Gaelic follows (followed in turn with an English translation also provided by Mr Hackney).
Taigh sa Gheamhradh le Deigh Hackney
Bha uisge ann an-raoir agus bha fuachd ann
a-nis sa mhadainn air mo mhullach tha fiaclan
fiaclan uilebheist no deigh gheur
agus chì mi feur
le daoimeanan deighe a’ deàrrsadh
anns a’ ghàrradh
An dìon mo thaigh mi bho spioradan san oidhche bho shìthichean leis na giallan mòra fosgailte
nuair a thig a’ ghrian
leaghaidh na fiaclan
anns a’ ghrèin bidh mo thaigh na thaigh fad an latha agus bidh mise dìreach nam dhuine gu bràth
House in Winter by Jay Hackney
There was rain last night and there was cold
now this morning on my roof are teeth
teeth of a monster or sharp ice
and I can see grass
with ice diamonds sparkling in
the garden
Will my house
protect me from spirits in
the night from fairies with its big jaws
gaping when the sun comes
the teeth will melt
in the sun my house will be a house
all day and I will be just a man forever
The Robert Burns Society of Charleston Inc. is recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to celebrating and sustaining Scottish-American heritage in the South Carolina Lowcountry. This commitment includes the promotion of historical awareness, cultural expression, and military traditions associated with Scotland. The Society fulfills its mission by hosting educational and cultural activities, supporting the mastery of traditional Scottish arts—such as Highland Bagpiping, Highland Dance, Scottish Fiddle, Scottish Harp (Clàrsach), and the Scots Gaelic language—and by providing grants and scholarships that support academic advancement within the Scottish-American community.
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