As part of the Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations, Cllr Dónal Lyons, the Mayoral Representative for the City of Galway, announced a mix of 12 businesses and organisations as the finalists for Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2014 at a press event in the Eyre Square Centre.
Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, Galway’s annual bilingual business award, is organised by Gaillimh le Gaeilge in association with the Galway Advertiser and with support from the Galway Chamber.
Speaking at the event; Bríd Ní Chonghóile of Gaillimh le Gaeilge said “that it’s becoming more and more difficult ever year to select a ‘Gearrliosta’ because of the nominees commitment to including the language in so many aspects of their businesses. This year, the moltóirí were particularly impressed by the ‘Seirbhís i nGaeilge’ that many of the finalists have developed as well as the work that is being done behind the scenes to promote the language.”
The following companies were selected for the Gradam Gearrliosta;
In the Retail category, sponsored by Galway Bay FM the finalists are:
CARA Pharmacy, Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, FUJIFILM, Gaillimh and Tesco Galway.
In the Tourism and Hospitality category, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, the finalists are: The Ardilaun Hotel and The House Hotel.
In the Services category, sponsored by Snap Galway, the finalists are: Brendan James Financial Services, Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Tí Tighe Fascinators and Fáiscín.
In the Other Companies category, sponsored by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, the finalists are:
Dúchas na Gaillimhe, iSupply and Oakwood Crèche.
Cllr Dónal Lyons, who represented the Mayor of the City of Galway presented each finalist with a Gradam Certificate and spoke about how the Gradam has become “an institution in Galway city life over the past number of years and an important force in the promotion of the language in the city - Guím gach rath air”.
He went on to say “Irish has become an important element to the life of my own local community in Knocknacarra through the success of Gaelscoileanna in that area. I believe that it is important that the students of these schools have ample opportunity to see Irish as a living, breathing language in their city. I would like to express my thanks to the businesses that are here today who have made that possible.”
Gaillimh le Gaeilge thanked all of their sponsors: Fáilte Ireland, Galway Bay FM, Snap Galway, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, The Irish Times, Galway.com, The Solution Guys, ARÓ, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Galway Chamber for their support to the Gradam. They paid special tribute to their main Gradam for the past 10 years; the Galway Advertiser. The total value of the sponsorship for the Gradam is €20,000.
Minister of State, at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley, TD., will present the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh Award at a special awards ceremony on Thursday, April 10 at 6.30pm in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill
