Village People Striking a Chord with First Irish School
Andersonstown News, October 11, 1997

Twenty years ago eyebrows would have been raised at the suggestion of locating a pioneering Irish language nursery school in the sleepy Co. Antrim village of Crumlin, writes Hannah Hayes.

But with the village becoming home to more and more Belfast exiles it was only a matter of time before it capped its marvelous renaissance of Gaelic sports and culture by opening its first naicsoil.

And the good news for local Gaels is that despite a cruel setback, which forced its closure six months ago, Naiscoil Chaimlinne re-opened its doors to the community last week.

"We have had many ups and downs, possibly more downs than ups along the way, but perseverance prevailed and success is ours," says Sean O Lunanain, Chairperson of the Naiscoil Chaimlinne. "All the parents are elated and just rarin' to go.!

Last year, Naiscoil Chaimlinne had barely thrown open its doors when Ballymena-based social services moved to close it down, claiming the school didn't meet stringent new health and safety regulations.

The school was born out of a meeting of local Irish language lovers in April 1995. "We weren't aware then of how difficult the task facing us would be," said Sean O Luanain. "Funds were solicited from local businesses, big and small. Fundraising events were held complete with raffles and prizes and grants won."

After a prolonged fundraising drive and "constant struggles with red tape" the school opened with 13 children last year, only to be shut down almost immediately by bureaucrats. "It was a crippling blow," explained Sean O Lunanain. "But the parents and community rallied and ensured the work needed to bring the school up to an acceptable standard for the social services was carried out."

"We're just over the moon that all these hardships have been overcome and the patience and endeavors of the community have been rewarded," said Peadar Mac Muiris, Education Officer of the Falls Road-based Gaeloiliuint (The Council for Irish Medium Education.) "There was a great sense of euphoria when the school opened and this is really a vindication of those proud people who have battled so hard against officialdom in order to give their children a first class education."