What is Inis Dom!?
Welcome to the new initiative ‘Inis Dom!’ which focuses on the everyday use of the Irish language as a medium for doing business in the town of Ennis. The aim of this initiative is to provide a central source of information to businesses who wish to use the Irish language as a practical and productive business tool.
How will it help my business?
Foras na Gaeilge is constantly developing a wide programme of services and support through a special branding campaign ‘Gnó means Business’ which aims to facilitate and increase the practical use of Irish within the business sector. ‘Inis Dom!’, as part of this overall initiative, seeks to promote the use of Irish by costumers and businesses alike in everyday transactions throughout the town. We strongly believe that the Irish language can be a great advantage to every type of business in various ways, even if you don’t have fluent Irish!
Recent times have seen the practice of bilingualism become increasingly popular in both the public and private business sectors and, accompanying English, the unique characteristics of the Irish language are being effectively harnessed by the Business Community as a marketing tool on signage, stationery, packaging and advertisements.
Why Ennis?
In recent years, Ennis has been recognised as a town in which significant expansion and development has occurred in the use of Irish. The town has won the Glór na nGael National Award on four occasions and the Tidy Towns le Gaeilge twice.
Strong Irish Environment
The promotion of Irish in Ennis as an everyday language has never been stronger.
Under the direction of ‘An Clár as Gaeilge Teo’, a series of events and opportunities promoting the language are organised throughout the year, which have had a major public impact and have put Ennis to the forefront of centres of excellence in promoting Irish in the country.
Tell me more...!
Q How can I get involved?
A Initially, a series of information evenings will be held to familiarise both the general public and local businesses with the project and how it will work.
Q I dont have much Irish. Can I participate?
A Yes! Support in the form of ‘Conversation Circles’ will be provided to cater for everybody, whether a beginner or a more fluent speaker ‘as Gaeilge’. Times of these Circles will be flexible to facilitate both the business community and the general public.
Q What other support systems will be available?
A Through our partnerships with Foras na Gaeilge, Conradh na Gaeilge and Glór na nGael we will provide access to a range of supports including:
- A comprehensive phrase book to help in doing business ‘as Gaeilge’.
- A range of stickers and internal signs ‘as Gaeilge’ for retailers.
- A professional translation service, available locally through an Clár as Gaeilge, to help with advertising copy, brochures and signage for local businesses.
- Advice and support on how best to market your business or product through the medium of Irish.
- Identifying suitable Irish language advertising opportunities and helping local businesses to avail of these.
Q ‘Inis Dom!’... what will the long term benefits be for the town of Ennis?
A ‘Inis Dom!’ will help to consolidate the image of Ennis as a centre of Irish traditional culture.
It will create a unique atmosphere in the town, making it an attractive shopping destination for visitors and locals alike.
Being a bilingual town would make Ennis a natural choice as a venue to host major international cultural festivals.
Inis Dom!... Part of a national strategy
Foras na Gaeilge has established a Business Advisory Group with representatives draw from around the country to work on the development and implementation of the ‘Gnó means Business’ support and awareness programme.
As part of this initiative, Foras na Gaeilge are conducting extensive research aimed at heightening awareness of the advantages of the use of Irish in the commercial sector.
‘Inis Dom!’, through its association with the ‘Gnó means Business’ programme, can avail of the support of this national resource in developing practical ways to promote the use of the Irish language on a every day basis in the town of Ennis.
For further information on other practical uses of Irish in your business check out ‘Gnó means Business’ on www,gaeilge.ie
