Local business in Galway are continuing with their use of the Irish language and making it work for their business. Colette Kelly Optometrist on Middle Street has redesigned their premises on Middle Street and the Irish language has remained an integral part of their new brand.
Speaking on the new signage, Aaron Kelly, from Colette Kelly Optometrists said. ’The Irish Language has always been a part of our signage and worked well for us, so, when we redeveloped we didn’t want to lose it! The Irish Language is now synomonous to Galway, people expect to see it and it compliments the modern and contemporary look that we have today’.
Candleworks, Candle Shop, have also recently extended their premises in the Eyre Square Shopping Centre. As part of this process Nora Queeney decided to use more Irish language signage in her shop and also offers her customer personalised candles with Irish language greetings.
‘There has been a fantastic reaction to the bilingual signage. It has proved to be a great talking point, as visitors and locals alike often call in to find out what the Irish words mean. I also get a lot of Irish speakers in looking for Irish Language greetings on their candles. The Irish language is working very well for my business and I intend to use more of it’.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge is available to assist any business in Galway to introduce the Irish language as part of their business. Bríd Ní Chonghóile of Gaillimh le Gaeilge says ‘It is not essential to be a fluent Irish speaker to use Irish in your business nor does incur any extra cost to your business. We provide consultation, practical advice and hands on help to companies wishing to use the Irish language in any aspect of their businesses.
‘We also celebrate all the bilingual work done by Galway city businesses through our Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh award – Galway’s own Bilingual Business award. We are delighted to announce new exciting developments and new sponsors to the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh award this year.
These new developments will encourage more businesses to use the Irish language and will be unveiled at our Teacht le Chéile na Nollag, tonight Thursday 15 December 2011 at 6.00pm in Hotel Meyrick, Eyre Square, Galway’.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge in association with the Galway Advertiser and with support from the Galway Chamber organises Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh. The Gradam is named in honour of the late Seosamh Ó hÓgartaigh, founding member and company secretary of Gaillimh le Gaeilge. The aim of the award is to recognise companies and organisations in Galway city that demonstrate a ‘visible’, ‘genuine’ and ‘creative use’ of the Irish Language within their business, thus impacting on their staff and the bilingual image of the city.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge will host an information evening on the Gradam on Tuesday January 24 2012 at 6.30p.m, in the Menlo Park Hotel, winners of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2011. The Information Evening will provide you with an excellent opportunity to chat with previous Gradam winners and find out how they went about achieving it.
The Gradam is open to companies and organisations who are registered and doing business in Galway city and not involved primarily in the promotion of the Irish language or subject to the Official Languages Act 2003 until Thursday 9th February 2012. Entering the Gradam is free. If you are interested in using the Irish Language or becoming involved in Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, please contact us at 091 568876 or [email protected]. Please visit www.gleg.ie for more information.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge works in association with Galway City Council, Galway Chamber and other groups in the city to promote Galway as a bilingual city. The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Galway City Council and the Galway Chamber through the Cairde Ghaillimh le Gaeilge scheme fund Gaillimh le Gaeilge.
