This article is from page 12 of the 2011-10-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
IRISH language groups are hoping the use of cuplá focal will boost business and encourage cultural tourism in Ennis. The objectives have been set out as part of Inis Dom, a new marketing and promotion campaign that will be launched in the Temple Gate hotel on Thursday night (8pm).
The initiative has been organised by An Clár as Gaeilge Teo, Glor na nGael Inis and Conradh na Gaeilge with the assistance of Foras na Gaeilge, Comhairle Baile na hInse, Ennis Chamber and Ennis Town Council.
As part of the campaign, businesses will receive information on the advantages of marketing through Irish along with Irish in-house promotional and advertising material. Local groups involved in the promotion of Irish will also provide support and ongoing advice while helping businesses identify promotional opportunities.
Inis Dom will build on Gnó Means Business, a special branding campaign that aims to facilitate the practical use of Irish within the business sector.
Research on the links between Irish and business promotion was carried out over the past 12 months while 1,000 leaflets outlining the initiative were delivered to businesses in the past seven days
Domhnall O Loinsigh, secretary of An Clár as Gaeilge Teo, explained, “We are focusing on traders to show how Irish can be attractive as a mar- keting tool and it will cost businesses nothing to take part”.
He added, “We’re trying to raise the profile of the town as a cultural shopping destination. If we can do that, this will raise the profile of Ennis as a centre of excellence in promotion of traditional culture.”
Mr O Loinsigh said, “Hopefully traders will benefit from the increased focus on Ennis as a shopping destination”.
The new marketing campaign follows the work of An Clár as Gaeilge Teo. Established in 2002, the group has promoted Irish in Ennis and throughout the county.
Ennis has won the Glór an nGael National award on four occasions and the ‘Tidy Towns le Gaeilge’ twice. According to Mr O Loinsigh, the long-term aim is to introduce the Inis Dom concept across all sectors of the local economy.
“We’re very much thinking of the future with this. The better response we get, the more we’ll provide,” he added.