The Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Frank Fahy this week announced the sponsors of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh for 2016 and unveiled two new national media sponsors: The Sunday Business Post and TG4 at a press event in Galway City Council.
Speaking at the event the Mayor welcomed all of the Gradam sponsors and said he was delighted to announce that the main media sponsor of Gradam 2016 is once again the Galway Advertiser. The Category sponsors are as follows; Galway Bay FM, Fáilte Ireland, Snap Galway agus Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh. Údarás na Gaeltachta, ARÓ, The Solution Guys and the Galway Chamber are also providing sponsorship to the overall winner.”
He went on to say that the success of the Gradam depends very much on the support of its sponsors as well as all those who participate in the award every year. Initiatives such as Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh and all of you who support and participate in it, are securing Galway’s status and future as a bilingual city. Go fada buan sibh.”
Now in its 14th year, Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, Galway’s own bilingual business award, recognises and celebrates companies and organisations in Galway city that use the Irish language in their day-to-day business and who contribute to Galway’s reputation as a bilingual cultural city. The Gradam is named in honour of the late Seosamh Ó hÓgartaigh, founding member and company secretary of Gaillimh le Gaeilge.
Speaking about Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, Bríd Ní Chonghóile of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, encouraged any business or organisation in the city using Irish to participate and said:
“Tá ról tábhachtach ag an nGradam i saol gnó na cathrach agus cuireann sé le cáil na Gaillimhe mar chathair chultúrtha, dhifriúil a bhfuil glór Gaelach dá cuid féin aici.
By entering the Gradam and furthering the use of Irish in your business, you are enhancing and strengthening Galway’s unique cultural image. We have three months until the judging process commences, plenty of time for you to integrate Irish into your business or organisation agus tá Gaillimh le Gaeilge ar fáil chun cuidiú libh i rith an phróisis go léir.”
The Gradam is now open to businesses and organisations based in Galway city that are not primarily involved with the promotion of the Irish language and not subject to the Official Languages Act. It is not essential to be a fluent Irish speaker to participate in the Gradam and Gaillimh le Gaeilge will guide you every step of the way. So what are you waiting for? Log onto www.gleg.ie to enter online or contact 091 568876. You can also nominate a business/organisation to enter the Gradam. The closing date for entries is Monday February 15 2016. Ag súil le cloisteáil uaibh!
