There is just a few days left until the big event when Aire Stáit Seán Kyne TD do Ghnóthaí Pobail, Acmhainní Nádúrtha agus Forbairt Dhigiteach will announce the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh category winners and the overall winner for 2018. Fifteen Galway businesses on the Gradam Gearrliosta, are very busy preparing for the special awards ceremony taking place on Thursday the 24th of May at 6.30pm in the Rockbarton Suite, Salthill Hotel.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge has organised Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, for the past 16 years in association with the Galway Advertiser and with support from the Galway Chamber. The Gradam celebrates and applauds the outstanding efforts of the business community in Galway city that use the Irish language in their daily business.
Also at the event, ‘Duais Aitheantais Pheadair Uí Fhlatharta’ will be presented for the first time on behalf of Bord Stiúrtha Ghaillimh le Gaeilge and in association with ‘Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge’, DCU. Duais Aitheantais Pheadair Uí Fhlatharta was launched last month by Uachtarán Ollscoil na hÉireann, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh at the announcement of the Gradam Gearrliosta in Áras na Gaeilge, NUI Galway. The Duais Aitheantais is in memory of Dr Peadar Ó Flatharta, founding member and the first Cathaoirleach of Gaillimh le Gaeilge. Through his vision and foresight, he laid down the foundation for the growth and success of the organisation. A beautiful piece of sculpture is especially designed by the renowned artist Pádraic Reaney, a sean-chara of Peadar. It will be presented to a person or an organisation who have made a great effort to use the Irish language in their daily lives but who are not primarily involved with the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh award.
Bríd Ní Chonghóile of Gaillimh le Gaeilge said; “Bíonn muid ag tnúth go mór leis an ócáid seo chuile bhliain mar go dtugann sí deis iontach dúinn an obair mhór dhátheangach atá á dhéanamh ag gnólachtaí agus ag eagraíochtaí i gCathair Dhátheangach na hÉireann a chur i lár an aonaigh agus a cheiliúradh. Tá an-bhród orainn freisin comóradh a dhéanamh ar an gcéad chathaoirleach agus ball bunaithe Ghaillimh le Gaeilge, an Dr Peadar Ó Flatharta ag an ócáid i mbliana.
Every year we’re wondering if this year’s Gradam will be as good as the previous year and lo and behold, yes it is! It’s those taking part that bring a different dynamism and energy to the Gradam. It’s great to see it improving and continuing to move forward with the times we’re in”.
This year’s Gearrliosta features a wide variety of businesses from one of the largest taxi companies in Galway city to an International Arts Festival for children who all have one thing in common – they have embraced bilingualism into their business! The Gradam Gearrliosta will have an opportunity to showcase and celebrate all of their bilingual endeavours to a host of guests, family and friends as well as business colleagues on the night.
The winners will remain a closely guarded secret until Thursday, the 24th of May when the announcements will be made! Keep up to date with all the latest news and developments by following proceedings on Facebook Live and Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s other social media platforms on Twitter and Instagram.
Following is the list of the fifteen businesses and organisations shortlisted for Gradam 2018:
Retail Category sponsored by Galway Bay FM:
Aunty Nellie’s Sweet Shop, High Street, Corrib Shopping Centre, Eyre Square, KD Autoparts, Ballybane, Kennys Bookshop and Art Galleries Ltd., Liosbán.
Tourism & Hospitality sponsored by Fáilte Ireland:
56 Central, Shop Street, Harbour Hotel, New Dock Road, The Connacht Hotel, Dublin Road.
Services Category sponsored by Snap Galway:
Big O Taxis, Eyre Square, Colm’s Life Pharmacy, Salthill, Dr Sinéad Feeney & Dr Séamus Cryan @Galvia West Medical Centre, Westside, 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, Francis Street, iSupply, Sea Road.
The category winners will receive a business package to the value of €2,000 from the category sponsors. The four category winners will also receive a replica of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh sponsored by Údarás na Gaeltachta. The overall winner of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh will be selected from the four category winners and will receive an Advertising Package to the value of €2,000 from the main media sponsor of the Gradam, the Galway Advertiser. They will also receive a publicity package with TG4, a digital marketing package with Lorg Media who have joined the Gradam this year and one year’s membership of Galway Chamber and Gaillimh le Gaeilge. The overall winner will also receive the much sought-after sculpture by renowned artist Pádraic Reaney, depicting the fourteen tribes of Galway resting over the River Corrib, with one extra tribe outstanding, who symbolises the winner of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, and future winners to come.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge would like to take this opportunity to say a ‘Míle Buíochas’ to all those who took part in this year’s Gradam Awards. ‘Míle buíochas’ also to their valuable sponsors for their continued support and commitment to the Gradam. Tá buíochas tuillte chomh maith ag Moltóirí Ghradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh i mbliana and they are; Aelmuire Ní Ógartaigh, Freda Nic Giolla Chatháin, Gnó Mhaigh Eo, Judy Ní Dhubháin, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Irial Ó Ceallaigh, TG
