The Adjudication process is now underway in Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s search for the best bilingual business in Galway City as the nominees for Gradam 2018 have been announced. Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, in association with the Galway Advertiser and with support from the Galway Chamber, is now closed for nominations as the moltóirí begin the difficult task of selecting a shortlist and choosing category winners as well as the overall winner for 2018. This year, 21 businesses and organisations nominated from a wide variety of sectors have entered. 14 of these 21 businesses are entering the Gradam for the very first time.
Bríd Ní Chonghóile of Gaillimh le Gaeilge said:
“This is the second year in a row where we have a record number of new entries. While we always welcome previous participants to the Gradam, it’s always exciting to see newcomers taking part. The Gradam process is a wonderful opportunity for any business or organisation to showcase the Irish language in their business and this year’s participants will do so, with ‘pride, passion and purpose’. It’s great to see that ‘doing business bilingually’ is increasingly becoming the norm in our city.”
A mixture of new and established businesses are taking part in the Gradam this year. They range from; Ireland’s flagship international arts festival for children, Galway’s largest taxi company, as well as one of the largest hotels in the west of Ireland, a medical centre that has a grá for the Irish language and a beautiful sweet shop located in the heart of Galway.
An independent adjudicating panel of ‘moltóirí’ has been appointed to Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh and they are: Aelmuire Ní Ógartaigh, Freda Nic Giolla Chatháin, Príomhfheidhmeannach, Gnó Mhaigh Eo, Sonya Nic Lochlainn, Bainisteoir Seirbhísí Corpráideacha, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Irial Ó Ceallaigh, TG4.
The Gradam Moltóirí will meet for the first time on Thursday 19th April to select the Gearrliosta.
The Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Pearce Flannery, will announce the shortlist of businesses at 12 noon on Tuesday the 24th of April at a press event in the O’Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance, NUI Galway.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge would like to say a ‘míle buíochas’ to the impressive line-up of sponsors, whose contribution is invaluable to the success of the Gradam and also to extend a ‘céad míle fáilte’ to our new sponsor Lorg Media!
The main media sponsor is the Galway Advertiser; the company has proudly supported the Gradam since its inception in 2002. TG4 joined the Gradam in 2016, and both media organisations are providing an excellent advertising package for the overall winner.
The category sponsors for Gradam 2018 are as follows: Galway Bay FM, Fáilte Ireland, Snap Galway and Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh.
Údarás na Gaeltachta are sponsoring the replicas of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, especially designed by the renowned artist Pádraic Reaney.
Lorg Media and the Galway Chamber will also provide sponsorship to the overall winner. Míle buíochas leo go léir!
All of the Gradam nominees will receive substantial publicity in the Irish and English language media throughout the Gradam campaign and the overall winner will recieve the prestigious title as the 15th Tribe of Galway for the year ahead. Go n-éirí go geal leo ar fad.
Na hAinmniúcháin /The Nominees:
Retail Category sponsored by Galway Bay FM:
Aunty Nellie’s Sweet Shop, High Street, Corrib Shopping Centre, Eyre Street, KD Autoparts, Ballybane Kennys Bookshop and Art Galleries Ltd., Liosbán, Lanidor, Eyre Street, Mary’s Fish, Ballybane, Murrays, Nile Lodge.
Tourism & Hospitality sponsored by Fáilte Ireland:
56 Central, Shop Street, Galway Food Tours, Cúirt Seoige, Harbour Hotel, New Dock Road, The Connacht Hotel, Dublin Road, The Lough Inn, Woodquay.
Services Category sponsored by Snap Galway:
Big O Taxis, Eyre Square, Colm’s Pharmacy, Salthill, Galvia West Medical Centre, Westside, Kemple Gormley Solicitors, University Road, Swaine Solicitors, Knocknacarra, Sweeney Oil, Headford Road.
Other Companies Category sponsored by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge
Baboró, International Arts Festival for Children, Merchant’s Road, Galway City Business Association, Frances Street, iSupply, Sea Road.
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