Sin Sibh! That’s how Professor Adam Dahmer, or Àdhamh Dàmaireach, greeted the class in my Scottish Gaelic elective for Appalachian Studies. It was in that class that I realized just how rich and layered the history of Appalachia is, with its roots tied to places oceans away. So rich that ETSU has an entire department dedicated to Appalachian Studies, which includes the Reece Museum, the Archives of Appalachia, a “Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music” major, and a host of minors and certificates that fall under the Appalachian Studies umbrella. In addition, ETSU hosts a Scottish Gaelic retreat annually.
ETSU is home to the nation’s only academic department solely dedicated to Appalachian Studies. The Bluegrass, Old-time and Roots Music major has been thriving since 1982. It is the first of its kind at a four-year institution and has become a cornerstone for students passionate about Appalachian music traditions. The Scottish and Irish Traditional Music minor allows students to expand their knowledge of Appalachian sound and culture through traditional instruments, folk songs and even the Gaelic language. Other minors, such as brewing and distillation studies, as well as certifications, are also offered by the department.
The Reece Museum, which is part of the department, is one of eighteen museums in Tennessee to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The museum began as a class project in the 1920s and grew to house over 22,000 artifacts that encompass fine art, folk art, textiles, musical instruments, agricultural tools and historical documents, which reflects the multilayered nature of Appalachian life and culture.
The Archives of Appalachia is a “repository for memories” with “written words, images and sounds that document life in Southern Appalachia.” It is open to the public, and many collections have been digitized and are accessible online. The Margaret Anne Byrd Huffman Archives of Appalachia Endowment Grant is an annual opportunity for students and faculty “who utilize materials from the Archives in research or creative projects.”
The ties between Scotland, Ireland and Appalachia can be traced back to the 18th century when many Scots-Irish, or Ulster Scots, sought better opportunities in the American colonies, predominantly in the Appalachian region. Then again, between 1820 and 1930, close to four and a half million Ulster Scots immigrated to the United States. They brought distinct folk traditions that echo our region’s bluegrass and old-time music. Instruments like the banjo and fiddle can be traced back to Celtic traditions. Scotland and Ireland’s influence on the region can also be witnessed by Appalachia’s cultural festivals celebrating this connection through song, dance and storytelling.
One of these festivals will be held on campus from Sunday, June 8th, through the 12th, 2025. ETSU will host the annual Teanal Teagasg na Teanga, a Gaelic language gathering retreat full of language learning, dance, songs and storytelling. Professor Adam Dahmer, chair of the planning committee, reports that “the hosts will be Jason Bond, the foremost Gaelic YouTube celebrity, and Ealasaid NicPheadair, likely the most famous North American-based Gaelic singer outside of Nova Scotia.” Registration is currently open and you can register online at ETSU Marketplace.
There is also a free event on Monday, June 9th, starting at 6 pm, which “will be open to the entire public in Johnson City.” Dahmer notes, “If you come in, you will be able to try the Trad ceilidh,” a lively and engaging gathering.
“We’ll all sit in a circle…and the fear-an-taighe, the MC, will sing a song, or dance a dance, or tell a story, and then he’ll invite everyone in succession going around the room to do the same, so bring your favorite story or song and it doesn’t have to be in Gaelic.”
Afterward, the party will continue with the cèilidh dance. “Everyone will learn Gaelic traditional dances, similar to square dancing, but just from Scotland.” As we gather to learn, dance and celebrate, we are reminded that the past is never far behind; it lives on in our music, language and the stories we share.
