ONE of West Belfast's best known childcare facilities has celebrated 20 years in operation with a gala ball in the Balmoral Hotel.
Aisling Daycare was founded by sisters Bronagh McAllister and Úna Dougherty in September 2006. It operates out of their site in the Aisling Business Park on Hannahstown Hill and caters for over one hundred children.
Following speeches from Lord Mayor Róis-Máire Donnelly, and former Lord Mayor and "great friend of the nursery" Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, Úna took the audience through the beginnings of the daycare.
She said that their plans in the early days of the nursery were known by the code name 'Aisling', with it being the "best kept secret in West Belfast in 2006". The sisters realised they had discovered the perfect name for their business when they learned that Aisling meant "a pleasant dream or vision".
Úna said: "During the summer of 2006, we relied on so many of our family and friends. We conducted our office from the car, with kids sitting in the back while we drove from meeting to meeting."
After expanding from their initial site into neighbouring units, and winning several awards over the following 14 years, Covid brought a particular challenge for the daycare.
"For a while, we genuinely thought that was it. The dream was over. Closing our doors on 24th March 2020 was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make.
"But it was made easier by the guard of honour formed by the team at the time, alongside former members of staff, who arrived to accompany us out of the building and escort us up the hill and lock the gates!"
Taking part in the gala evening
Despite the challenges, the daycare reopened and thoughts turned to the twentieth anniversary, and the decision was made to raise funds for the Friends of Cancer Centre at the ball, as a mark of support for one of the daycare employees, Rachael.
Úna thanked all those who had supported the daycare over the years, and emphasised the community that had grown around them.
"They say it takes a village to raise a child, well, we have the best villagers around us! Thank you all for being part of our journey. So tonight, we celebrate the past. We celebrate the present. And most importantly, we look forward to the future."
Kaila Patterson with Máirtín Ó Muilleoir. Kalia read a poem during the evening and this week also received an Aisling Bursary
As part of the entertainment on the night, past pupil of the daycare and local poet Kaila Patterson read 'A Wee Poem', and member of the Aisling team and world-champion Irish dancer Shannon McCrudden performed 'Riverdance'. Local talent Áine Glackin sang Óro Sé do Bheatha Bhaile, and Bronagh Diamond provided the laughs.
