Oscail an Doras going strong one year on
A YEAR has passed since the Oscail an Doras scheme was officially launched by legendary broadcaster Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh in Staunton’s Pharmacy on Main Street, Caisleán an Bharraigh.
The scheme, an initiative run by Gnó Mhaigh Eo in conjunction with Conradh na Gaeilge, encourages businesses in the county town to provide services to the public ‘as Gaeilge’, and also encourages the public to avail of these services.
Over 20 participants from businesses around the town were listed in the initial scheme and more have come on board since.
The aim of the project is to promote the language in a new way and to give Irish speakers across Mayo the chance to use their cúpla focal gach lá in a natural environment.
“This scheme is not just for fluent or native speakers,” said the CEO of Gnó Mhaigh Eo, Freda Nic Giolla Chatháin. “We want people who haven’t used Irish since school to feel comfortable using basic greetings with the friendly participants, and we want children to practise the Irish they have learned in the classroom and to experience the language as a living language, not just as an academic subject.
“There are no red pens or grammar books in use - it is simply an opportunity for everyone to lose the inhibitions and the fear, and to enjoy it! Bain sult as!”
The development officer with Gnó Mhaigh Eo, Daithí Ó Gallachóir, added: “Oscail an Doras has added a new dimension to shopping in Castlebar and Claremorris. Not only has it given the language pride of place, but it creates a new level of engagement and loyalty with customers.
“We are looking forward to building on the success of this innovative scheme right across the county. Beatha teanga í a labhairt - the life of a language is to speak it.”
The next stops are Béal an Átha and Cathair na Mart, and Gnó Mhaigh Eo and Conradh na Gaeilge plan to have schemes launched in both of those towns before the end of this year. So, if you know somebody working in a business in Ballina or Westport, be sure to contact them to let them know.
In the meantime, if you see the Oscail an Doras sticker on a shop door, don’t be afraid (ná bíodh eagla ort) to try your cúpla focal - even if it’s just to say ‘Dia Duit’, ‘Go raibh maith agat’ or ‘Slán’. It’s your language – is leatsa í!
For more information about the Oscail an Doras scheme, contact Gnó Mhaigh Eo on (094) 9010140 or email gno@gnomhaigheo.ie, or just call into the office on Main Street, Caisleán an Bharraigh. Beidh fáilte romhat!