EAST Belfast's first Irish language pre-school has secured a site - in a traditionally loyalist estate.
Naíscoil na Seolta will open in September after receiving a grant of £73,000 from Foras na Gaeilge.
It will be located in a purpose-built mobile classroom in the grounds of Braniel PS.
Those behind the project said the space and facilities have exceeded all hopes and expectations.
It is hoped the pre-school will be the first step on the journey of bringing integrated Irish-medium primary education to the area.
The name Braniel is said to come from one of two Irish words and phrases -Broinngheal meaning `bright front' or Bruach Uí Néill, meaning O'Neill's bank.
Linda Ervine and the language organisation Turas, are among those behind the naíscoil.
Mrs Ervine has enjoyed a good relationship with Braniel PS Principal Diane Dawson and has been teaching Irish lessons in the school.
"Setting up Naíscoil na Seolta was the next natural step for us, given the increased number of people learning Irish in east Belfast over the last nine years," she said.
"It's wonderful that parents will now be able to choose the option of integrated Irish-medium pre-school education for their children. We are over the moon with the site and its facilities, which are beyond what we had hoped for. It's all the more exciting to be taking this step alongside our friend Diane Dawson and the wider community at Braniel Primary School."
Ms Dawson said she was proud to welcome the new pre-school to the site.
"This is a very exciting time for Turas, Foras na Gaeilge, and east Belfast, and we wish Naíscoil na Seolta every success. This has been a visionary journey for both Linda Ervine and Turas for many years now, and it is a privilege to support it coming to its full fruition," she said.
