By Róise Collins
AFTER receiving an overwhelmingly positive response to the new bilingual signage on their shop front, a local business is encouraging other businesses in the town to get involved and use their ‘cúpla focal’ too.
Sharon and Brendan McGlynn run The Quiet Moment, a bustling coffee shop on the Letterkenny Main Street recently included the Irish translation of their business to their signage, reading ‘An Bomaite Ciúin’.
The wording caught the attention of many people as the word “bomaite” is unique to Donegal’s charming Irish dialect.
Sharon said that they toyed about with a few different options for the signage, but they decided it was only right to go with the Donegal Irish because they are proud Donegal people.
Since revealing their new store front they have received a hugely positive response from customers and passer-by. The signage received huge support on social media too with hundreds of likes, comments and shares.
“It’s great when you do something and people notice it. It was really embraced and we couldn’t believe the online reaction,” said Sharon.
The Quite Moment is strongly encouraging other businesses to do the same and make a change, even if it is only small.
Like many others Sharon said she was put off the Irish language because of the education system and the struggles comprehending the grammar. But added that it is great to see how the language is now being promoted more casually.
“We would all love to be able to speak a bit more Irish, even just conversationally, because we are so proud of our language,” she said.
She described their new signage as a small step in the right direction.
“We can’t make a big change all in one step, we need to take little steps, and that little change for us might inspire others too,” she said.
Sharon thinks we will start seeing more and more local businesses embracing the Irish language. She praised Bairbre Uí Chathail from Líonra Leitir Ceanainn for her hard work and advocacy in making the language more accessible to everyone.
Brendan also praised Bairbre who he said inspired the idea after sharing with them the benefits of promoting the Irish language in their business.
Bairbre Uí Chathail is well known locally for her tirelessly promotion of the Irish language within the town. She told the Donegal News why businesses should consider following in the McGlynn’s footsteps.
“The comments and support shows the positive response to the Irish language and why it is such a good idea for businesses to get involved.
“The research also shows that people are very positively disposed to Irish and they are delighted when they see it whether it is on signage, on a menu or whether the company can provide a service through Irish.
“Whatever way it is being presented it gets a very positive response a
nd it really builds the reputation of the company and in terms of the uplift for the business it really is worth doing,” Bairbre said.
Bairbre also explained how businesses can avail of support and funding from Foras na Gaeilge’s Business Support Scheme.
There has been a massive demand on the scheme this year, she said.
They are expecting the announcement of additional funding in the coming weeks, so any businesses who are interested should reach to Líonra Leitir Ceanainn to see what funding options are available to them.
The marketing and branding possibilities are endless including creating bilingual signage, embroidering uniforms or helping to build your company’s website.
Many local businesses have already availed of the scheme, including Sanjay Mehan from Bliss on Letterkenny Main Street. Sanjay got new bags for his clothing shop with help from the Foras na Gaeilge Business Support Scheme.
Other local business owners who have availed of the Business Support Scheme include Clare McNickel from Clare Clothing who got new Irish signage and The Himalayan Café on Church Lane who are in the process of making the transition to bilingual menus.
If you are interested in learning more contact Bairbre Uí Chathail on 086 0751663 or 074 9127479 for more information.
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