The Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Frank Fahy, announced the 12 businesses who were selected as finalists for Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2016 at a press event which took place in the Eyre Square Centre last week.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge has been running Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, Galway’s own bilingual business award, for the past 14 years in association with the Galway Advertiser and with support from the Galway Chamber. This year 20 Galway based businesses have entered the Gradam and the nominations celebrated the outstanding efforts of the business community in Galway in using the language in their business.
The following businesses were selected for the Gradam Gearrliosta 2016:
In the Retail category, sponsored by Galway Bay FM the finalists are:
Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Eyre Square Centre, Faherty Paints.
In the Tourism & Hospitality category, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, the finalists are:
Brasserie on the Corner, Clayton Hotel Galway, The Connacht Hotel, Péarla na Mara
In the Services category, sponsored by Snap Galway, the finalists are:
C-SideSound, Newcastle Medical Centre, Top Oil
In the Other Companies category, sponsored by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, the finalists are: OLYART and Galway Technology Centre
The Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Frank Fahy, presented each finalist with a Gradam Certificate and commended the nominees for all the work they do to promote the Irish language in the city. Saying: ‘Comhghairdeas to all of you, on your role and participation in creating a bilingual Galway through the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh award. The investment that you, your businesses and organisations have made in the Irish language has given Galway a special uniqueness’.
He also noted that with 11 businesses entering the Gradam for the very first time, highlighted the growing interest and importance of the Irish language to the city and it also shows the ‘commitment and continued support of Galway businesses to the language and to the success of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh’.
Speaking at the event, Cathaoirleach Ghaillimh le Gaeilge Iggy O Muircheartaigh congratulated all of the nominees and said The standard was very high once again this year.
“It is evident from the information packs submitted that the work undertaken by the businesses using the Irish language in their businesses gives them a particular satisfaction and a sense of pride as they strive to promote and strengthen Galway’s bilingual status.
“They all have an strong understanding and a very positive outlook towards the Irish language. Not only, are they using the Irish language in their own businesses but they have also seek to influence their suppliers as well as their parent companies located in the county and indeed around the country,” he said.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge thanked all of their local and national sponsors: The Galway Advertiser, The Sunday Business Post, TG4, Fáilte Ireland, Galway Bay FM, Snap Galway, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, The Solution Guys, ARÓ, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Galway Chamber for their support to the Gradam. The total value of the sponsorship for the Gradam is in excess of €25,000.
Sincere thanks to Moltóirí Ghradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh who will visit the premises of all of finalists in the coming weeks. On the panel this year is; Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Dean of UCD School of Business, Siubhán Nic Grianna, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Bernadette Mullarkey, of Bane Mullarkey and Stiúrthóir of Gaillimh le Gaeilge.
The category winners and overall winners of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh will be announced at a special awards ceremony in the Westwood House Hotel in early May.
