2018 has been another busy year for Gaillimh le Gaeilge as Galway businesses continue to invest in the Irish language. The organisation responsible for the promotion of the Irish language in Galway has seen an increase of 26 per cent in the demand for their services so far this year, which in turn, has led to an increase in the visibility of the language in the city.
Bernadette Mullarkey, Cathaoirleach Ghaillimh le Gaeilge said this week that the future of the Irish language is bright in Galway. and that the organisation is delighted with the increase in funding from Galway City Council for 2019.
“This will help us to continue with our bilingual work and strengthen the use of Irish in the city. Galway was recently named as the Best City in Ireland in the Bank of Ireland Enterprising Towns Award and we were proud to be involved in this initiative in association with the local business community.
“We had an opportunity to meet with the adjudication panel when they visited the city and in our presentation, we highlighted the economic value of the Irish language to Galway as well as its importance to our uniqueness as a cultural, bilingual city.
“Work has also commenced on a new Irish Language Plan for the city under the direction of Dr John Walsh, Roinn na Gaeilge and Dr Dorothy Ní Uigín, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, and National University of Ireland, Galway.
“The language plan will further promote, support and increase the communicative use of the Irish language as a norm in everyday life as well as delivering on Galway’s status as Ireland’s Bilingual City. In the New Year, we will be increasing our efforts as we direct Galway businesses and organisation’s attention to Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, Galway’s own annual bilingual business award.
This work will be done in collaboration with the main sponsor of the Gradam, the Galway Advertiser Group, and with support from TG4 and the Galway Chamber. We have a very busy schedule ahead of us and we look forward to the additional opportunities that this will bring,” she concluded.
The Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh award has been recognising and rewarding the efforts made in the promotion of the Irish language in Business in Galway since 2002.
For the past 17 years, it has provided a unique opportunity for Galway businesses and organisations to celebrate and showcase their use of the Irish language in business. Foireann Ghaillimh le Gaeilge will arrange a meeting with the business owner(s ) or manager(s ) and review the business in terms of its visual image – signage, marketing material, social media, advertising etc. – and examine various possibilities in terms of the use of Irish.
Then, they will put together a multi-step programme with an agreed timeframe, for the incorporation of Irish into various areas of your business, whether it be stationery, signage, online or putting Irish on delivery vans. The team will provide marketing and business expertise throughout the process, and maintain regular contact with you to assist, provide advice and translations wherever necessary. Contact Gaillimh le Gaeilge at 091 568876 or [email protected] or visit www.gleg.ie for more information.
Gallimh le Gaeilge is supported by the National Lottery through an Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, Galway City Council and Galway Chamber through Scéim Chairde Ghaillimh le Gaeilge.
