An Aisling awards

At a star studded glittering Aisling Awards ceremony at the Europa Hotel, Croí Éanna won the prestigious TG4 Aisling Award for Outstanding Services to the Irish language (Sársheirbhísí don ghaeilge), presented by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
The citation for the Award read as follows :

Croí Éanna is the umbrella organisation that promotes and encourages the Irish language, culture, music and sport in Glengormley. Gaels have been promoting Cultúr na nGael in Glengormley since 1956, but in 2003, members of St Enda’s GAC set up an exploratory subcommittee to examine the demand for Irish medium education in the area. An extensive canvas of the area revealed strong support for the concept (85%). In 2004 Naíscoil Éanna was opened with 7 pupils and 2 staff, and was soon visited by Uachtarán na hÉireann Mary McAleese and All Ireland winning captains Sean Óg ÓhAilpín, Eoin Kelly, and Michael Fennelly. Demand flourished and by 2007, 16 children entered the first Rang 1 of Gaelscoil Éanna which was officially opened by Minister of Education, Caitriona Ruane, in May 2008.

Croí Éanna further benefitted from a Foras na Gaeilge grant of £150,000 and in 2011 employed their first Oifigeach Ghaelach, Nuala Uí Neill, and presently the community can avail of wrap around care trí mheán na Gaeilge, with the provision of a Breakfast Club, After Schools Clubs, Swimming Classes and most recently, the NIYF and NEELB recognised Cumann Óige Chroí Éanna on Friday and Saturday nights for 7-14 years old, all provided through our native language. At the same time plans were at a developed stage to build a brand new building for Gaelscoil Éanna which today is the fastest growing Gaelscoil in Ireland with over 110 children on the roll. With the assistance of Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta, work commenced on 1st November 2011 on a new £500,000 building. All of which will complement the two new pitches which have been developed by St Enda’s GAC at a cost of £370,000 (assisted by SportNI) and are due to open in May 2012.