First Irish language pre-school in east Belfast finds a home

By Q Radio News

A site has been secured for the first Irish language pre-school in east Belfast. 

Naíscoil na Seolta will be housed at Braniel Primary School but run separately when it opens in September.  

It recently received £73,000 from Foras na Gaeilge, the north-south body for the promotion of Irish language, to help cover running costs.

The pre-school is planned as a step to the first Irish-medium primary school in the east of the city and will accommodate 16 children.  

The development comes after Linda Ervine and the principal of Braniel Primary School Diane Dawson formed a connection earlier this year when Linda began teaching Irish lessons in the school. 

“The Naíscoil had been searching for premises, and Diane realised that the perfect space for the new nursery might already exist on her school grounds. 

“Meetings, paperwork and approvals soon followed.

“The space is a mobile classroom which is purpose built and already fully equipped for early years learning.” Ms Ervine explained. 

The Irish language development officer of Turas says setting up Naíscoil na Seolta was the next natural step given the increased number of people learning Irish in east Belfast. 

“It’s wonderful that parents will now be able to choose the option of integrated Irish-medium pre-school education for their children,” she added. 

“We are over the moon with the site and its facilities, which are beyond what we had hoped for. 

“It’s all the more exciting to be taking this step alongside our friend Diane Dawson and the wider community at Braniel Primary School.”

Diane Dawson, principal of Braniel Primary School is also enthusiastic about the collaboration.

“The Board of Governors and I are privileged and proud to welcome the first integrated Irish-medium pre-School, Naiscoil na Seolta, to our school site,” she said. 

“Linda, Caoimhe Rua and their colleagues are already valued members of our school community and teach Irish to our 3-11 year olds weekly. 

“This is a very exciting time for Turas, Foras na Gaeilge, and east Belfast, and we wish Naiscoil na Seolta every success. 

"This has been a visionary journey for both Linda Ervine and Turas for many years now, and it is a privilege to support it coming to its full fruition.”