The facility in the Skainos Centre on the Newtownards Road contains about 2,000 books. It has been opened due to the increasing number of people learning Irish at the centre. The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Sinn Féin's John Finucane, along with UUP and Progressive Unionist Party politicians, attended the opening of the library on Monday.
The Skainos Centre began running Irish language classes seven years ago. Linda Ervine, from Turas, which runs the classes, said the number of language learners had grown substantially since then. "We started the classes seven years ago and there were about twenty-odd people," she said.
"Last year was our biggest year yet, with over 270 people signing up."We run our own GCSE class and a number of people got A* and A, and we also send people out to do A-Level and the diploma at Ulster University. "And now five people, who just happen to be all from the unionist community, will be starting degrees at Ulster University and Queen's University this September." Mr Finucane was making his first visit to the Irish classes at the centre for the opening of the library.
The Skainos Centre began running Irish language classes seven years ago. Linda Ervine, from Turas, which runs the classes, said the number of language learners had grown substantially since then. "We started the classes seven years ago and there were about twenty-odd people," she said.
"Last year was our biggest year yet, with over 270 people signing up."We run our own GCSE class and a number of people got A* and A, and we also send people out to do A-Level and the diploma at Ulster University. "And now five people, who just happen to be all from the unionist community, will be starting degrees at Ulster University and Queen's University this September." Mr Finucane was making his first visit to the Irish classes at the centre for the opening of the library.
