Gaillimh le Gaeilge, the organisers of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, in association with the Galway Advertiser and with support from the IrishTimes and the Galway Chamber has announcde this year’s nominees for Gradam 2015.
The promotion of the Irish language is an important part of Galway city and this is evident in the work of the 20 businesses and organisations from a diverse range of sectors who have put their names forward for the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh award this year.
13 of these 20 businesses are entering the Gradam for the very first time, highlighting the growing interest and importance of the Irish language to the city as well as the commitment of Galway businesses to gain bilingual status for the city. Speaking on this year’s nominations, Bríd Ní Chonghóile of Gaillimh le Gaeilge said
‘Ba mhaith linn buíochas a ghabháil leis na comhlachtaí agus leis na heagraíochtaí go léir a chur isteach ar Ghradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh i mbliana. Tá éagsúlacht mhaith le sonrú sna hainmniúcháin idir méid agus seirbhísí agus tá súil againn go mbainfidh siad go léir tairbhe agus taitneamh as.’
“‘This year, we recognise a growing ‘online trend’ to the Gradam with many of these businesses employing both websites and social media networks as a means of promoting their business as opposed to the traditional ‘shop front’. This helps the Gradam and the Irish language reach a wider audience and for Galway to reinforce its presence worldwide as a unique bilingual cultural city.” she added.
The Gradam has 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.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge would like to thank the sponsors of the Gradam for providing fantastic prizes and benefits worth over €16,000, as well as offering extensive publicity and acclaim to the business/organisation that wins this prestigious award.
This year’s Gradam is being proudly supported by its main sponsor the Galway Advertiser as well as the Irish Times, Fáilte Ireland, Galway Bay FM, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, Snap Galway, ARÓ, Galway Chamber, TravelGalway.com, The Solution Guys and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge will be very busy in the coming weeks working with all 20 nominees and preparing them for the first round of the adjudication process.
The Moltóirí of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh will meet on Wednesday March 11 to select the Gearrliosta. On the panel this year is; Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Dean of UCD School of Business, Siubhán Nic Grianna, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Breandán Ó hEaghra, Meas Media and Bernadette Mullarkey, of Bane Mullarkey and Stiúrthóir of Gaillimh le Gaeilge.
As part of the Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations, the Deputy Mayor of the city of Galway, Cllr. John Walsh, will announce the Gearrliosta at a press event being held in the Eyre Square Centre, at 12pm, on Thursday March 12
