He also took the opportunity to remind the local business community of the grants available (max. 3,000 euro) through Foras na Gaeilge in supporting a cúpla focail in signage, stationery and websites.
Pat Loughnane, Chairperson of Loughrea’s Chamber of Commerce, recognized that at least 24 premises in the town had a cúpla focail in shop frontage and how others had commercial vehicles and stationery available with their cúpla focail. He commended these achievements and expressed how he believed it would enhance the town’s efforts in national Tidy Town’s Competition in 2008.
Concluding the evening, each business on the short list were presented with their own special ‘seanfhocal’:

Hill’s Footwear:

“Is cuma le fear na mbróg cá gcuireann sé a chos.”
The man with shoes doesn’t care where he lays his feet.

Shane ‘The Barber’:

“Níl aon gruagaire mar do ghruagaire féin.”
There’s no barber like your own barber.

Siopa Broderick’s/Nuachtánaí:

“Scéal a tharraingíonn scéal.”
One story draws another.

An Teach Beag/ Tábhairne:

“Is túisce deoch ná scéal.”
A drink comes before a story.

Little Expectations:

“Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí.”
Praise youth and she’ll prosper.

Fare Green Foods/Caife:

“Marbh ag tae agus marbh gan é.”
Dead with tea and dead without it.

Hope’s Bakery:

“Is fearr leathbhullóg ná bheith gan arán.”

Martin Fahy’s/Siopa Éadaí:  

“Is é an duine an t-éadach.”
Half a loaf is better than no bread.

Loughrea School and Office Supplies:

“Ní ualach ar bith an léann”
Education is no burden.

Comhar Creidmheasa Naomh Breandán:

“Go méadaí Dia do stór.”
May God increase your wealth.

Loughrea Motor Factors:  

“Go n-éirí an bóthar leat.”
May the road rise with you.