Dear Eri,
I also extend my best wishes for a healthy, successful, and creative New Year 2026.
Months of radio silence
Unfortunately, we have to acknowledge that we haven't heard anything from Ciaran for many months. There has been no sign of life here in the forum or on GitHub recently. The last activity I'm aware of dates back to August 2025. It's particularly disappointing that even private support requests are apparently no longer being answered. For a project that has enjoyed so much trust and engagement from its users over the years, this complete radio silence is very difficult to comprehend.
Concern about the J51 project
Therefore, the impression is increasingly growing that the J51 project has either been discontinued or is at least quietly being phased out. That in itself would be regrettable enough – but what's truly regrettable is the complete lack of any official statement. As users, we're left in the dark, unsure whether it's worth continuing to invest in the project or not. This uncertainty is likely leaving many frustrated and disappointed.
Possible Background
Looking at Ciaran's LinkedIn profile, it's clear that he has been working for other companies since December 2020. While this is perfectly legitimate, it suggests that he simply had less and less time available for the Joomla51 project. This would also explain why no new templates have been released since then and why development has apparently stalled.
Personal Conclusion
All of this is, of course, just speculation, but unfortunately, it doesn't paint a particularly hopeful picture for the project's future. As difficult as it is, it's likely that sooner or later, alternatives will have to be explored to ensure long-term viability.
Despite everything, there remains hope that Ciaran will eventually speak out, address the situation, and provide clarity. After all these years and the community's trust, that would be the very least he could do – and would at least allow for a clean break.