Proud parent looks back on incredible 12 months for autistic daughter as nominations for this year’s Spirit of NI show roll in Spirt of Youth winner Isla McManus with mum Alana at their home in north Belfast Little Isla McManus has had a year to remember since being crowned a winner at the 2024 Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, in partnership with Ulster Bank. The outgoing 11-year-old was given a Spirit of Youth trophy because of her drive to raise awareness of autism — having described her own diagnosis as her “superpower” — and has now established herself as a pop star..
