I've been hearing rumours from people inside AL that they will be starting training again in Autumn so hopefully only a couple of months to wait.
Yes it took quite a while for everything to happen. All my interview/tests/sim were done in one week, after that though they just kept putting me on hold. It was about 2 months I think from starting selection to hearing I was in the pool. I don't mind really, Aer Lingus are one of the best airlines in Europe to fly for so if I've got to jump though some hoops to get in then I don't mind!