Life

Comradeship, coffee and conversation at Anam - Caifé na Carraige

A new west Belfast social enterprise cafe was packed when the first cups of coffee were poured

The opening of Anam - Caifé na Carraige.
“The Caifé na Carraige social enterprise project will operate as an invaluable community asset for local residents in the Upper Springfield and greater West Belfast Area. The service will involve creating opportunities for employment for local residents as well as creating a social hub with local fresh produce at affordable prices where local residents can socialise and feel a sense of belonging and companionship in their local area. 

The creation of a social enterprise in our community will help to deliver on specific targets for social clauses relating to work experience, training, apprenticeships and also through job creation for young people as part of our youth services. The primary project beneficiaries of the Caifé na Carraige capital project will be the local community in the Upper Springfield Area as evidenced by the extensive responses to the detailed community consultation which formed part of the feasibility study for the greater project. Young people, including post 16 school leavers and Irish language university graduates, will have numerous opportunities for accredited training, skill enhancement and employment all whilst remaining a part of the community sector and supporting the Irish language community’s revival efforts. 
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Anam - Caifé na Carraige in the Upper Springfield area of west Belfast was packed for its opening (Colm Lenaghan)

A welcoming space for the community with affordable prices, friendly faces and amazing coffee is on the menu at a new social enterprise venture in the Upper Springfield area of west Belfast.

Anam - Caifé na Carraige is a project by Glór na Móna which aims to create opportunities for employment and and training for people from the district, including post-16 school leavers and Irish language university graduates, as well as creating a social hub.

The opening of Anam - Caifé na Carraige.
“The Caifé na Carraige social enterprise project will operate as an invaluable community asset for local residents in the Upper Springfield and greater West Belfast Area. The service will involve creating opportunities for employment for local residents as well as creating a social hub with local fresh produce at affordable prices where local residents can socialise and feel a sense of belonging and companionship in their local area. 

The creation of a social enterprise in our community will help to deliver on specific targets for social clauses relating to work experience, training, apprenticeships and also through job creation for young people as part of our youth services. The primary project beneficiaries of the Caifé na Carraige capital project will be the local community in the Upper Springfield Area as evidenced by the extensive responses to the detailed community consultation which formed part of the feasibility study for the greater project. Young people, including post 16 school leavers and Irish language university graduates, will have numerous opportunities for accredited training, skill enhancement and employment all whilst remaining a part of the community sector and supporting the Irish language community’s revival efforts. 
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Enjoying a cup of tea at the opening of Anam - Caifé na Carraige (Colm Lenaghan)

Glór na Móna director Feargal Mac Ionnrachtaigh said it would support the Irish language community’s revival efforts under the banner of ‘comradeship, coffee and conversation’.

“The ‘heritage café' concept is central to our long-term plans for Croí na Carraige as a multi-purpose community centre and Anam provides us with an opportunity to trail the café on a pilot scheme to develop the philosophy and self-help approach within the community,” he said.

“The site has been derelict for 17 years, thus becoming a site of anti-community behaviour that impacts on the quality of life for people in the area.

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“Our proposal to redevelop and regenerate this site can have a positive impact for the Upper Springfield and Whiterock community. We can’t wait to get started.”

The opening of Anam - Caifé na Carraige.
“The Caifé na Carraige social enterprise project will operate as an invaluable community asset for local residents in the Upper Springfield and greater West Belfast Area. The service will involve creating opportunities for employment for local residents as well as creating a social hub with local fresh produce at affordable prices where local residents can socialise and feel a sense of belonging and companionship in their local area. 

The creation of a social enterprise in our community will help to deliver on specific targets for social clauses relating to work experience, training, apprenticeships and also through job creation for young people as part of our youth services. The primary project beneficiaries of the Caifé na Carraige capital project will be the local community in the Upper Springfield Area as evidenced by the extensive responses to the detailed community consultation which formed part of the feasibility study for the greater project. Young people, including post 16 school leavers and Irish language university graduates, will have numerous opportunities for accredited training, skill enhancement and employment all whilst remaining a part of the community sector and supporting the Irish language community’s revival efforts. 
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Coffee and craic - pictured at the opening of Anam were, from left to right, Laochra Mac Iomaire, Léann Ní Chonluain, Feargal Mac Ionnrachtaigh and Eoghan Ó Garmaile (Colm Lenaghan)

Café manager Léann Ní Chonluain said Anam will be a place where the local community and Irish speakers can come together in a social setting.

“It is also a heritage café and learning space which we hope will attract visitors who are keen to learn more about our area,” she said.

“We place an emphasis on sustainability and self-sufficiency and are determined to promote the area - we will do that through using local produce whenever possible.

“Through the creation of a welcoming and inspiring space, we hope to have a positive impact on the lives of young people in the area and we welcome all and any support on our journey to make a difference in the Upper Springfield area.”

The opening of Anam - Caifé na Carraige.
“The Caifé na Carraige social enterprise project will operate as an invaluable community asset for local residents in the Upper Springfield and greater West Belfast Area. The service will involve creating opportunities for employment for local residents as well as creating a social hub with local fresh produce at affordable prices where local residents can socialise and feel a sense of belonging and companionship in their local area. 

The creation of a social enterprise in our community will help to deliver on specific targets for social clauses relating to work experience, training, apprenticeships and also through job creation for young people as part of our youth services. The primary project beneficiaries of the Caifé na Carraige capital project will be the local community in the Upper Springfield Area as evidenced by the extensive responses to the detailed community consultation which formed part of the feasibility study for the greater project. Young people, including post 16 school leavers and Irish language university graduates, will have numerous opportunities for accredited training, skill enhancement and employment all whilst remaining a part of the community sector and supporting the Irish language community’s revival efforts. 
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Musical accompaniment at the opening of Anam - Caifé na Carraige (Colm Lenaghan)
The opening of Anam - Caifé na Carraige.
“The Caifé na Carraige social enterprise project will operate as an invaluable community asset for local residents in the Upper Springfield and greater West Belfast Area. The service will involve creating opportunities for employment for local residents as well as creating a social hub with local fresh produce at affordable prices where local residents can socialise and feel a sense of belonging and companionship in their local area. 

The creation of a social enterprise in our community will help to deliver on specific targets for social clauses relating to work experience, training, apprenticeships and also through job creation for young people as part of our youth services. The primary project beneficiaries of the Caifé na Carraige capital project will be the local community in the Upper Springfield Area as evidenced by the extensive responses to the detailed community consultation which formed part of the feasibility study for the greater project. Young people, including post 16 school leavers and Irish language university graduates, will have numerous opportunities for accredited training, skill enhancement and employment all whilst remaining a part of the community sector and supporting the Irish language community’s revival efforts. 
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Anam - Caifé na Carraige is a social enterprise initiative to create opportunities to build skills and offer employment (Colm Lenaghan)
The opening of Anam - Caifé na Carraige.
“The Caifé na Carraige social enterprise project will operate as an invaluable community asset for local residents in the Upper Springfield and greater West Belfast Area. The service will involve creating opportunities for employment for local residents as well as creating a social hub with local fresh produce at affordable prices where local residents can socialise and feel a sense of belonging and companionship in their local area. 

The creation of a social enterprise in our community will help to deliver on specific targets for social clauses relating to work experience, training, apprenticeships and also through job creation for young people as part of our youth services. The primary project beneficiaries of the Caifé na Carraige capital project will be the local community in the Upper Springfield Area as evidenced by the extensive responses to the detailed community consultation which formed part of the feasibility study for the greater project. Young people, including post 16 school leavers and Irish language university graduates, will have numerous opportunities for accredited training, skill enhancement and employment all whilst remaining a part of the community sector and supporting the Irish language community’s revival efforts. 
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
A library for visitors is one of the features at Anam - Caifé na Carraige (Colm Lenaghan)
The opening of Anam - Caifé na Carraige.
“The Caifé na Carraige social enterprise project will operate as an invaluable community asset for local residents in the Upper Springfield and greater West Belfast Area. The service will involve creating opportunities for employment for local residents as well as creating a social hub with local fresh produce at affordable prices where local residents can socialise and feel a sense of belonging and companionship in their local area. 

The creation of a social enterprise in our community will help to deliver on specific targets for social clauses relating to work experience, training, apprenticeships and also through job creation for young people as part of our youth services. The primary project beneficiaries of the Caifé na Carraige capital project will be the local community in the Upper Springfield Area as evidenced by the extensive responses to the detailed community consultation which formed part of the feasibility study for the greater project. Young people, including post 16 school leavers and Irish language university graduates, will have numerous opportunities for accredited training, skill enhancement and employment all whilst remaining a part of the community sector and supporting the Irish language community’s revival efforts. 
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Glór na Móna director Feargal Mac Ionnrachtaigh at the opening of Anam - Caifé na Carraige (Colm Lenaghan)