Representatives from a variety of businesses and organisations in Galway City attended an Information Evening about Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh in the Menlo Park Hotel last week when Gaillimh le Gaeilge announced that the award is now open for nominations.
G le G hosted the information evening, in association with the Menlo Park Hotel, (last year’s winners of the Gradam ), to assist and to encourage businesses and organisations to prepare and participate in the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh. It is not essential to be a fluent Irish speaker to participate in this prestigious award.
You can nominate your own business or someone else’s business for the award. The aim of the award is to recognize 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. The Gradam is now open for nominations for businesses and organisations based in Galway city which are not subject to the Official Languages Act 2003.
At the event, Gaillimh le Gaeilge also welcomed the renewed commitment from Údarás na Gaeltachta to the Gradam for another two years. Udaras join an already established group of sponsors including Galway Advertiser, Fáilte Ireland, Galway Chamber, Galway Bay FM, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI Galway and Snap Galway. The total value of the prizes and benefits provided by the local businesses is in excess of €19,000.
At the information evening, people had the opportunity to meet with previous Gradam winners, adjudicators of the Gradam and last year’s winner David Keane, Menlo Park Hotel, who spoke about how participating in the Gradam has had a positive impact on all aspects of the hotel and how its Irish language policy was part of the Menlo Park Hotel’s Best Practice policy.
This year, the Gradam features a new structure with four categories; retail, hospitality and tourism, services and other companies. A winner will be chosen in each category and the overall winner will be selected from the four category winners.
Speaking at the event, Bríd Ní Chonghóile of Gaillimh le Gaeilge said; “The Gradam celebrates all the bilingual work done in the city and is a great opportunity for any business to highlight their bilingual achievements, raise the profile of their business, gain invaluable press coverage, and demonstrate to Irish speakers and non-Irish speakers alike that their business respects and values the Irish language.
Being Irish has made us unique throughout the world and it’s important that we continue to celebrate this today through the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh Award. We are also delighted with the continued support of the local businesses to the Gradam, and the renewed commitment of Údarás na Gaeltachta to the Gradam for the next two years. Táimid fíor bhuíoch dóibh.”
Gaillimh le Gaeilge provides a ‘Gaeilge sa Ghnó’ service, free of charge to help businesses/organisations prepare for the Gradam. The Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh in partnership with the Galway Advertiser is now open for entries until Thursday February 9 2012. If you would like more information about Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, contact Gaillimh le Gaeilge on 091 568876, [email protected] or visit www.gleg.ie You can follow Gaillimh le Gaeilge on Facebook and Twitter.
