Corca Dhuibhne's Cúpla Focal

A new Udarás na Gaeltachta initative, Corca Dhuibhne ag Caint was launched in Dingle last week in an effort to encourage the use of the Irish language in business. According to Udarás na Gaeltachta the objective of this initiative is to promote and encourage the use of Irish in the Corca Dhuibhne area especially within the commercial sector. Twelve local companies and businesses have agreed to participate in the scheme which will see staff have the option of wearing specially designed badges indicating their level of spoken Irish. Currently there are three types of badges with three designations which employees can wear; Ag Foghlaim for learning those learning Irish, Cúpla Focal, for those competent in Irish and Seo Leat indicating fluency. Those advocating the scheme saythat this scheme is intended to make it easier for the customer to choose whether to do business in English or in Irish. "Up to now, there was no method of knowing which language to use in shops and businesses unless you knew members of staff personally" said Rachel Ní Riada of Udarás. "Participation is optional and the project will be presented in a fun way, making it easier for those who want to increase their use of Irish to do so."
The twelve Dingle businesses currently participating in the scheme are: Siopa Londis Uí Fhlaithearta, Garvey's SuperValu, Sheehy's Spar, Fitzgerald's Centra, Brian De Staic, Benners Hotel, the Caife Liteartha, Gáirdíní an Daingin and Slí na Sláinte, John Benny’s Moriarty’s Butchers, Morans and the Dingle Tourist Office.
Watch an online video of the launch at http://corcadhuibhneagcaint.wordpress.com/.