Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Clodagh Higgins unveiled this year’s sponsors for Gradam 2023 at a press event hosted by Gaillimh le Gaeilge in the Galway Chamber, to formally open the nomination stage of the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh competition.
The Mayor commended all of the Gradam sponsors for their ongoing support and commitment to Galway’s own Bilingual Business award - Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, which is a recognition and a celebration of businesses and organisations in Galway city that incorporate the Irish language in a number of ways or in all aspects of their operations.
It includes marketing, signage, advertising, websites, social media, as well as services that provide a Seirbhís i nGaeilge for those wishing to do business in Irish.
The closing date for Gradam entries is Friday February 17 2023. All that is required at this stage of the Gradam process is that entrants fill out a short online application form and Foireann Ghaillimh le Gaeilge will be in touch to prepare you for the awards.
To enter the Gradam, log onto www.gleg.ie for more information or contact the office at 091 568876. It is free of charge and you can nominate your own business/organisation or another business/organisation that is based in Galway city.
Speaking at the press event, the Mayor said she wished to congratulate all the sponsors for your support of the Gradam, both this year and in previous years.
“The Galway Chamber has been involved in the award since its inception 21 years ago. The Gradam is named after their former president Seosamh Ó hÓgartaigh. He was also founding member and company secretary of Gaillimh le Gaeilge.
“The Galway Advertiser has also played an instrumental role in the development and success of the Gradam during this time too. Údarás na Gaeltachta joined the Gradam family in 2007 and TG4 in 2016.
“Over the years, the Gradam and everyone involved with it have contributed significantly to Galway’s cultural history and official status as a bilingual city, an achievement we all take pride in. I wish the Gradam and Gaillimh le Gaeilge continued success into the future.”
Galway Advertiser group editor Declan Varley told the event that there is a responsibility on this generation to preserve the language and he commended Gaillimh le Gaeilge and the sponsors for enabling this process.
“Thoughout history, people have risked their lives to ensure that the great treasures are minded and preserved and nurtured. From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the golden glories of the pyramids, to the monks who concealed the chalices and crosses and books of Irish medieval history.”
“This generation has an onus to treat our treasure, the Irish language, in this way, so that it can live on forever. Gaillimh le Gaeilge, in the work that they do, are the keepers of that flame, and the Galway Advertiser, as a true community newspaper is delighted to support them in this objective,” he added.
The Mayor then proceeded to announce all of the Gradam sponsors for 2023.
Sponsorship worth over €27,000
The main media sponsor for this year is once again the Galway Advertiser. TG4 and MOLSCÉAL are also on board, as well as all the category sponsors and they are as follows:
Galway Bay FM sponsors of the ‘Retail Experience’ Category; Fáilte Ireland sponsors of ‘Tourism’ Category , Computer Troubleshooters sponsors of the ‘Customer Service’ Category, the Galway Technology Centre sponsors of the ‘Digital Presence’ category, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe are sponsoring the ‘Community & Culture’ Category. Údarás na Gaeltachta sponsors the miniature Gradam sculptures for each category winner designed by the renowned artist Pádraic Reaney, and the Galway Chamber is sponsoring the overall winner. Gradam 2023 has received over €27,000 in sponsorship this year.
Businesswoman Maureen Duggan, KD Autoparts, the overall winner of Gradam 2022, encouraged companies and organisations to take part.
“Bhí áthas an domhain orainn i KD Autoparts a bheith ainmnithe mar bhuaiteoir foriomlán Ghradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh in 2022. Taking part in the Gradam has been a wonderful experience for us in KD Autoparts and we would encourage any business or organisation in Galway to get involved. The cost to us has been minimal but the benefits are huge. We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to Gaillimh le Gaeilge for all their support throughout the Gradam process.”
