Never miss a thing from Belfast and beyond - sign up for FREE updates direct to your email inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The launch of an Irish medium nursery unit in South Belfast will pave the way for a new primary school in the area.

Registration has now opened for the new naiscoil, which will be launched at Eastbank Road in Carryduff in September.

The committee behind the new nursery hopes the pre-schoolers will then be the first intake for a brand new primary school Gaelscoil Aidha Dhuibh in September 2020.

The new school, if approved, would ease pressure on oversubscribed primary schools in the area.

There is growing pressure on schools and pre-schools in South Belfast , Castlereagh and Carryduff with dozens of families disappointed not to get a place for their child every year.

The demand is highest on Catholic maintained and integrated primary schools.

In a bid to find a solution to the growing problem, the University of Ulster launched a community consultation in October to hear parents' ideas on possible solutions.

Pilib Ó Ruanaí, is the Chief Executive of Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaiochta, which is supporting the project.

He said: "We think there is a demand for Irish medium education in the Carryduff area and we are confident this group is capable of meeting that demand."

Members of Gaelscoil Aidha Dhuibh' steering committee are also convinced of the demand for a Gaelscoil due to the "vibrant Gaelic community in the area".

Committee member Suzanne Waring said: "The Carryduff and Castereagh South area has a huge issue with school places particularly in the Catholic and integrated sector.

"Irish medium schools are non-denominational meaning that all religions and none are welcome.

"There is a vibrant Gaelic community in the area and a demographic that is incredibly diverse in terms of background and culture.

"Irish medium education celebrates that whilst still providing the high standard of education that parents have come to expect in the area.

"Studies have shown that bilingual children excel in many ways beyond linguistics. Improved problem solving skills, cultural and social understanding and overall cognitive development are just a few of the added benefits."

There will be an open day for anyone interested in the new Irish-medium nursery at the Ivanhoe Inn, Carryduff, this Saturday from 11am-1pm and Santa will call in.

Applications for the naiscoil are now open.

How to follow us on social media Here's our main Belfast Live Facebook page. On Twitter, you can follow our account by clicking here. If you're a lover of photos, then check out our Instagram. We've also got dedicated Facebook pages for North, South, East and West Belfast, as well as courts and crime. Sports fans can find all the latest local action over on our Belfast Live Sport Facebook and Twitter and also on Match Online on both Facebook and Twitter.

Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.

Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.

Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play.