STIMULATING AND SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESS IN IRELAND

Club Caife Business Networking

By Joan Fahey, March 13, 2009

To coincide with Seachtain na Gaeilge, Mayo Ideas Lab and Gnó Mhaigh Eo hosted “Club Caife”, a networking lunch as gaeilge for local business on Thursday 12th March in Áisleann Bhéal an Mhuirthead, Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Mayo entrepreneur Michael Thornhill of Maithú attended the event and spoke about his experiences in setting up a technology business, and how networking assisted him to secure a major contract with the multinational company, Samsung. There was also a short presentation from Laura Ní Éanacháin from Gnó Mhaigh Eo about marketing your business using the Irish language.

Thug an ócáid seo deis do ghnólachtaí áitiúla líonrú lena chéile i láthair neamhfhoirmiúil agus bhí siad in ann foghlaim faoi dheiseanna éagsúla atá ar fáil chun a gcuid gnólachtaí a chur chun cinn trí úsáid a bhaint as an nGaeilge. Labhair Michael Thornhill as Maithú ar an chaoi ar chabhraigh líonrú leis a phacáiste bogearraí ‘Get the Focal’ le h-aghaidh fóin phóca a dhíol leis an chuideachta ilnáisiúnta, Samsung. Is feidhmchlár do fhóin póca é ‘Get the Focal’ a chuireann ós cionn 12, 000 aistriúcháin Bhéarla – Gaeilge ar fáil agus níl aon gá duit a bheith ar líne. Tá an feidhmchlár seo oiriúnach do mhic léinn, tuismitheoirí, múinteoirí nó aon duine a bhfuil suim acu sa Ghaeilge.

The occasion gave local businesses a chance to network together in an informal way and they were able to learn about the opportunities available to promote their business using the Irish language. Thornhill spoke about his new software product “Get the Focal”, a mobile phone application which provides over 12,000 English-Irish translations for off-line use. This application is ideal for Irish language students, parents, teachers, or anyone interested in the Irish language.

(l-r) Laura Ní Eachnacháin, Gnó Mhaigheo; Cillian O’Mongain, Ciarán O’Murchu, UISCE and Michael Thornhill, Maithú; at the Club Caife Business Networking event with Mayo Ideas Lab, in Belmullet on 12th March 09