Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2021 launch to take place live on Galway Bay FM

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To celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge, the annual biggest international Irish language festival in the world, Gaillimh le Gaeilge is pleased to announce that the Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Mike Cubbard will officially launch Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, Galway’s own bilingual business award live on Galway Talks with Keith Finnegan on Galway Bay FM at 11.10 am on Tuesday, 16th of March. The Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Mike Cubbard will also announce the sponsors for the year ahead.

The Gradam, which is the longest running award of its kind in Ireland, is organised by Gaillimh le Gaeilge, in partnership with the Galway Advertiser and TG4 with support from the Galway Chamber. It is named in honour of the late Seosamh Ó hÓgartaigh, founding member and company secretary of Gaillimh le Gaeilge.

Over the past 19 years, the Gradam has developed and created opportunities for the Irish language to flourish in Galway city – attracting nominations from multi-nationals, sporting and arts organisations, sole traders, hotels, shopping centres, restaurants, oil companies and more who all feel that the Irish language is relevant to their business and are proud to play their part in Galway’s bilingual status.

Gradam 2020 proved to be one of the most successful to date, attracting a record number of entrants and reaching the largest audience yet of over 45,000 people live on Galway Bay FM.

Speaking about the upcoming launch, Cathaoirleach Ghaillimh le Gaeilge, Bernadette Mullarkey siad: “Following on from the success of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2020, we are delighted to launch Gradam 2021 live on Galway Talks on Galway Bay FM this year during Seachtain na Gaeilge. The support from our sponsors such as Galway Bay FM is key to the success of the Gradam and we have seen this more so than ever over the past year. We are very grateful to be in a position to organise the Gradam this year as it would not be possible without the support of our valuable Sponsors.”

Gaillimh le Gaeilge is currently putting a schedule together and would love to virtually meet with businesses and organisations who are interested in using the Irish language to create a bilingual business.  You have 6 months to prepare as the first round of adjudication will take place in September.

You don’t need to be a fluent speaker to participate as Gaillimh le Gaeilge will help you every step of the way. They will offer you the ‘Gaeilge sa Ghnó/Irish in Business’ service free of charge. This service is a designed bespoke package in which you are guided through the process of adapting some or all of your business to bilingualism. Foireann Ghaillimh le Gaeilge will arrange a virtual meeting with you and review your business in terms of its visual image – signage, marketing material, social media, advertising etc. They will examine various possibilities in terms of the use of Irish in your business or organisation.

The closing date for Gradam entries is Friday the 30th of April 2021. All that is required at this stage of the Gradam process is to fill in a short application form and Foireann Ghaillimh le Gaeilge will be in touch to prepare you for the Gradam awards. Log onto www.gleg.ie for more information and to enter online free of charge or contact 091 568876. You can nominate your own business/organisation or another business/organisation that is based in Galway City. To keep up to date with all the latest Gradam news, follow Gaillimh le Gaeilge on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.