Gaeltacht gift card launched to boost spending

The Cárta Na Gaeltachta will be available in physical and digital formats and can be redeemed in participating businesses across Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Meath and Waterford.

The initiative is designed to support businesses in sectors including retail, hospitality, leisure, accommodation, and local services, while encouraging consumers to spend more within their local communities.

There will be no cost for businesses to register for the scheme, and no additional equipment will be required.

Participating businesses will also pay no commission on transactions, meaning the full value of spending remains with local businesses.

Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said the card would deliver “measurable economic impact for local businesses by increasing footfall and spend to a wide range of Gaeltacht businesses”.

He said the initiative would showcase “the unique business offering across the seven Gaeltacht counties” while helping to build a long-term ‘shop-local’ culture.

Representatives from Údarás na Gaeltachta are currently visiting businesses across the seven regions to encourage them to sign up ahead of the launch.

The Cárta Na Gaeltachta will join the Town & City Gift Cards network operated by Miconex Ireland, which is active across the country and has generated more than €30m in local spending to date.

Mark Cunningham, Business Development Manager at Miconex Ireland, said the initiative would be the “largest scale Town & City Gift Cards initiative in Ireland” once launched.

He said cards would be spent in person with registered local businesses, providing a “ringfenced local spend” option for consumers and organizations.

Pádraig Ó Sé, proprietor of Páidí Ó Sé’s Pub in Ventry, Co. Kerry, welcomed the initiative, highlighting the absence of commission for participating businesses.

 Marc Cuinneagáin le Pádraig Óg Ó Sé. Pictiúr: Manuela Dei Grandi
“The fact that the gift card can only be redeemed in the bricks-and-mortar premises of Gaeltacht businesses guarantees a real boost in local footfall,” he said.

Businesses interested in participating can register through Údarás na Gaeltachta.

* This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.