Glór na Móna launch ‘buy-a-brick’ campaign for Croí na Carraige capital project in Canada

Representatives from the organisation visited Toronto and Montreal and were warmly received by Irish-Canadian community

March 26, 2026

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Irish language community and youth organisation, Glór na Móna, launched their ‘buy-a-brick’ campaign in Canada during Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026 as they brought the message of their transformative work and the revival of the Irish language to the vibrant Irish-Canadian community. The initiative is part of Glór na Móna’s long-standing campaign for a new, ambitious capital project, Croí na Carraige, which has already secured over £1 million in capital investment. Building on the work of the Gael-Ionad Mhic Goill community hub that Glór na Móna built in Ballymurphy in 2016, their new Croí na Carraige project envisions a multi-purpose youth, community, family and heritage hub on the vacant derelict ground beside their current facility.

The campaign has attracted huge support from across Ireland and oversees with rap group Kneecap among those to make a significant contribution. The visit also provided Glór na Móna with an opportunity to bring the story of the modern Irish revival to a Canadian audience, during Seachtain na Gaeilge, the international two week Irish language festival.

Glór na Móna Executive Director Feargal Mac Ionnrachtaigh said:

“It was both fitting and a huge honour to launch our Croí na Carraige Buy a Brick campaign during Green Month in Canada where the language is undergoing an energetic resurgence in Irish communities and on universities campuses. We are incredibly grateful for the kind and heartfelt solidarity and support that we have received from a wide-range of supportive individuals and organisations who have helped us organise successful events in Toronto and Montreal. The Croí na Carraige project is about building a better future for all and utilising the language as a source of community regeneration, healing and hope. We have raised over a million dollars, have full planning permission and a design team appointed to bring this vision to fruition. We very close to commencing Phase 1 of the project but need the help of the Irish community in Canada to get us over the final hurdle. We appreciate all and any support people can offer, whether through our Go Fund Me page (Fundraiser by Glór na Móna : Croí na Carraige New Irish-Medium Youth and Community Centre) or the Buy a Brick campaign on our website: www.glornamona.com.

Cormac Mac Lochlainn from Stonebridge Financial, who is a long-standing member of the growing Irish-Canadian community in Toronto, helped organise the event in Toronto. Speaking after the event, he said:

“Having lived in Toronto for a number of years now I have witnessed the increased interest in the Irish language amongst the diaspora here, particularly amongst young people. As a Gael who received all my education in Irish secondary schools in Dublin, I have first-hand experience of the difference the Irish language can make to a young person’s sense of confidence and identity The event organised by Glór na Móna, which I supported, was a great opportunity for them to contribute to something tangible which is making a demonstrable difference to the lives of young Irish speakers in West Belfast. We would like to thank all the Irish-Canadians who supported the event including the staff at PJ O’Briens and Belfast based company Kainos who sponsored the event. I believe Croí na Carraige has the potential to inspire Gaels across Ireland, Canada and further afield and I would encourage anyone with an interest in the revival of Irish to support this fundraising campaign.”

Marion Mulvenna, a Montreal native who supported the event in Montreal stated:

“We are delighted with how successful the Glór na Móna fundraising event was which was one of the highlights of Green Month in Montreal. We had over 100 in attendance with fantastic representation from a wide range of renowned Irish cultural organisations who have deep roots in the city. We want to thank Donal Gill and Miriam Ní Dhuinn from Siamsa traditional music school who provided brilliant entertainment on the night. We want to thank Mark Billings and Arthur Sandborn who sponsored the entertainment and food. Go raibh maith agat to the wonderful MC on the evening, ICUF teagascóir, Gemma Ní Luain and Rod and all the staff at Hurley’s who were great on the night. Míle buíochas also to the wonderful all-female trad band, Gráinne who performed and amazing Gaelic set on the evening. The Montreal Irish community recognise the importance of reclaiming the Irish language and the Glór na Móna story really struck a chord in the city. We are delighted to be able to support their vision for a purpose built Croí na Carraige facility which will not only make a transformational difference in the lives of young people in West Belfast but also become a beacon of hope and language reclamation hub for those language learners visiting Belfast from cities like Montreal. Go n-éirí leo!”

Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, founding member of Glór na Móna and current President of Conradh na Gaeilge said:

“It was a huge honour to be invited to address the St Patricks Day Luncheon in Montreal, the most significant event in the calendar for the Irish community in Montreal. We were joined by Ambassador John Concannon, Government Minister Dara Calleary and Speaker of the Canadian Parliament, Francis Scarpaleggia and it was a fantastic opportunity to share with them the transformational work that Glór na Móna is undertaking in West Belfast to support the ongoing community revival of Irish. It is evident that there is increasing interest in the Irish language amongst the diaspora and there is a huge opportunity to harness this energy in a way which positively contributes towards our work back in Ireland and builds mutually beneficial relationships between Irish speakers at home and abroad. Conradh na Gaeilge has branches all over the world and we are keen to attract more members and branches throughout the diaspora and with the renewed interest in Irish, there’s never been a better time to do this.”