Donegal Gaeltacht businesses to benefit from new gift card
Údarás na Gaeltachta is launching the Cárta Na Gaeltachta, a new gift card designed to keep more consumer spending within Gaeltacht communities
A new gift card is being launched to increase spending in local Donegal Gaeltacht businesses.
Businesses across the Gaeltacht are encouraged to register for the zero-commission card ahead of its autumn launch.
Údarás na Gaeltachta is introducing the Cárta Na Gaeltachta to stimulate local growth in spending in retail, hospitality, leisure, accommodation and services sectors across the Gaeltacht regions in Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Meath and Waterford.
There is no cost for businesses to register, no additional equipment required and no commission charged on card transactions, meaning every euro spent stays in the locality. The gift card will be available in both physical and digital formats and can be redeemed exclusively in store with participating Gaeltacht businesses.
Údarás na Gaeltachta representatives are visiting businesses across the Gaeltacht regions to onboard them to the forthcoming Cárta Na Gaeltachta. Businesses can also register their interest by completing this form.
Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said: “The Cárta Na Gaeltachta is a single gift card that will deliver measurable economic impact for local businesses by increasing footfall and spend to a wide range of Gaeltacht businesses.
“Through the Cárta Na Gaeltachta, we will showcase the unique business offerings across the seven Gaeltacht counties while building a long-term ‘shop-local’ culture, promoting and supporting business across the Gaeltachtaí.”
The Cárta Na Gaeltachta joins the multi-award-winning Town & City Gift Cards network, which is active across Ireland, and has delivered over €30m in local spend to date in the country.
Mark Cunningham, Business Development Manager at Miconex Ireland, said: “Spanning seven counties, once launched, the Cárta Na Gaeltachta will be the largest-scale Town & City Gift Cards initiative in Ireland.
“Cards will be spent in person with registered local businesses, delivering ringfenced local spend and giving consumers and organisations a local option for gifts, rewards and incentives. Mastercard-backed, registering to accept the forthcoming Cárta Na Gaeltachta is easy and works with existing payment terminals.”
Pádraig Ó Sé, Proprietor of Páidí Ó Sé’s Pub in Ventry Co. Kerry, said: “We welcome this new Gaeltacht initiative. What's great for businesses is that Cárta na Gaeltachta will carry a 0% commission charge for participating Gaeltacht businesses, meaning every euro spent stays within these businesses and their local communities.
“Here in West Kerry, the fact that the gift card can only be redeemed in the brick-and-mortar premises of Gaeltacht businesses guarantees a real boost in local footfall once the card officially launches.”