New Ballyfermot Naíonraí facility is for the whole community

By Maurice Garvey

THE recent opening of a Naíonraí in Ballyfermot is the first such facility to operate in the area, and forms part of a new Irish cultural centre.

Located at the community centre on Convent Lawns, the building was designated €50,000 for refurbishments, after councillors agreed last year to spread surplus Dublin City Council budget funds to projects around the constituency.

People Before Profit Councillor Hazel de Nortuín, started a campaign years ago to establish a Naíonraí in Ballyfermot, prior to becoming a councillor in 2014.

Welcoming the opening of the centre, Cllr de Nortuín said: “The Naíonrai will be part of the Irish language cultural centre – Teanga Beo. This will benefit the whole community and will be a very important cultural centre for the whole area.

“I am delighted the successful allocation of funding for Teanga Beo Baile Formaid has been released by Dublin City Council.

The process was long, but I am very grateful to DCC for the allocation of these funds and for the members of Teanga Beo who have been vitally important in this process.”

She continued: “This is a cultural project that will be available for the whole community. We are looking for any groups or individuals from the area to get in involved so that we can have broad community participation.

They can find us on Facebook @Teangabeo or alternatively ring us on 085-1915429.”