Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Seán Kyne, TD will announce the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2019 category winners and the overall winner at a special awards ceremony which will take place on Monday the 20th of May at 6.30pm in the Rockbarton Suite, Salthill Hotel. The event promises to be a great night as thirteen Galway businesses and organisations on the Gradam Gearrliosta join their family, friends and colleagues for the announcement of the new Tribe of Galway City.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge has organised Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh for the past 17 years in association with the Galway Advertiser and TG4 and with support from Galway Chamber. The Gradam recognises and celebrates companies and organisations in Galway city that use the Irish language in their day-to-day business. It is named in honour of the late Seosamh Ó hÓgartaigh, founding member and company secretary of Gaillimh le Gaeilge.
This year’s Gradam Gearrliosta features a wide variety of businesses from some of Galway’s most renowned bars and hotels to a shop with everything that you need for your car! A short video of every business on the Gearrliosta highlighting their bilingual work and produced by MOLSCÉAL, will be showcased on the night. The videos are also available on MOLSCÉAL and Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s social media network. MOLSCÉAL joined the impressive list of Gradam sponsors for the first time this year.
Bríd Ní Chonghóile of Gaillimh le Gaeilge says:
“After a few days of careful deliberation and decision making by our hard-working Moltóirí, the adjudication process is now successfully completed for this year. Táimid thar a bheith buíoch dóibh. We met with the Moltóirí shortly after their visit to all on the Gearrliosta and they expressed their appreciation for the great welcome that they received. They saw at first-hand, the high level of effortless engagement that some businesses and organisationshave with the Irish language in the city while others use it very effectively to help them build up their local brand and engage more with their Irish language customers”.
Adjudicators this year are: Rónán Ó hÓgartaigh, son of the late Seosamh Ó hÓgartaigh, whom this award is named in honour of, Deirdre Ní Choistín, Léiritheoir/Eagarthóir MOLSCÉAL and Freda Nic Giolla Chatháin, Oifigeach Cumarsáide Gaeilge, Gaillimh 2020.
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Following is the list of the thirteen businesses and organisations shortlisted for Gradam 2019:
In the Retail category, sponsored by Galway Bay FM the finalists are:
Corrib Shopping Centre, KD Autoparts, Mary’s Fish
In the Tourism & Hospitality category, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, the finalists are:
Clayton Hotel Galway, The Galmont Hotel & Spa, The Kings Head, The Skeff Late Night Bar & Kitchen
In the Services category, sponsored by Snap Galway, the finalists are: Magnet Networks, Ó Tuairisg Associates Ltd., Sweeney Oil
In the Other Companies category, sponsored by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, the finalists are: Big O Taxis, Galway Volunteer Centre, Westside Community Organic Gardens
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 the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh sculpture 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 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 our valuable sponsors for their continued support and commitment to the Gradam over the years. The Gradam nominees and our wonderful sponsors are key to the success of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh. Go mba fada buan iad.
