Gaelic in Pugwash

Immigration into north Cumberland County has come in from many directions over the past 400 years.  The Mi'kmaq were displaced by settlers from Europe and later from America as Empire Loyalists moved into British Canada in the late eighteenth century.

A significant number of families came to the area from Scotland, particularly during the Highland clearances (1750s to the 1850s).  Many arrived in Nova Scotia (New Scotland) with not much more than their heritage, language and culture.  Today, most of the Gaelic speakers in Nova Scotia are in Cape Breton and Antigonish and Pictou counties.

When the Gathering of the Clans moved to Pugwash in 1951, part of the preparations of this Scottish festival was the changes in the existing street names of the Village. Pugwash became the first community in North America to have bilingual English/Gaelic signs and they have been maintained in both languages ever since.

Click on the links below to hear how each street name sounds in Gaelic.  Look below for how other places, common words or phrases are pronounced.

Slainte!

Black Street       Sràid Mhic 'Ille Dhuibh   blue button

 

 

Brickyard Road         Rathad Gàradh Na Breice     red button

 

 

 

Church Street      Sràid Na H-Eaglais  blue button

 

 

 

Crowley Road        Rathad Crowley      red button

 

 

 

Durham Street      red button

 

 

Gulf Shore Road      Rathad Cladach A Chamuis     blue button

 

 

Harbour View Lane       Slighe Sealladh na h-Acarsaide      red button

 

Howe Street             Sràid Howe        blue button                                             

 

Irishtown Road      Rathad Baile na h-Eireannach         red button

 

 

King Street        Sràid An Rìgh  blue button

 

 

Miller Road           Rathad A' Mhuileir       red button

 

 

Murray Road            Rathad Mhoirich   blue button

 

 

Prince Albert Street    Sràid A' Phrionns' Ailbeirt        red button 

 

 

Queen Street      Sràid Na Ban-Rìghinn    blue button

 

 

 

Russel Street     Sràid An Ruadhain     red button

 

 

 

Shea Island Road          Rathad Eilean Séaghdha   blue button

 

 

Victoria Street       Sràid Bhioctoria         red button

 

 

Walton Street               Sràid Ualton  blue button

 

 

Water Street          Sràid An Uisge          red button

Pugwash Places

Pugwash Village Hall

Thinkers Lodge

Eaton Park

Pugwash Harbourfront Centre

Tennis Court

Basketball court

Cenotaph

Community Garden

Camp Pagweak

The Peace Hall

Pugwash Train Station

Library

Historical Society

Dinghy Beach

Crescent Bach

Cyrus Eaton Elementary School

Northumberland Golf Course

Royal Legion

Police station

Fire Station

Northumberland Community Curling Club

East Cumberland Lodge

Lobster pound

Wharf

Fishing boat

Places and Things

Post Office

Church

Yacht Club

Salt Mine

Veterinarian

Bank

Bakery

Store

Co-op

Liquor store

Restaurant

Diner

Café

Inn

Motel

Convenience store

Greenhouse

Hospital

Landfill site

Road

Sidewalk

Park Bench

Private Lanes in the Village

New Pugwash Lane

Freedom Lane

Willow Street

Mill Lane

Pleasure Cove Road

Pleasant Lane

Purdy Beach Lane

Harbour Lane

Beacon Boulevard

Sunrise Boulevard

Spruce Haven Drive

Pent Road

Maple Court

Everyday sayings in Gaelic

Hello

Thank you

Please

Cheers!

A hundred thousand welcomes

 

Weather in Pugwash