Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh or as the people of Galway know it as “The Gradam”, is now open for nominations. Gaillimh le Gaeilge the organisation that promotes the Irish language in the city with support from Galway City Council, Galway Chamber and other groups is calling on Galway businesses to sign up, get involved and embrace an Ghaeilge níos mó in 2022! The team is currently putting a schedule together and they would love to meet businesses and organisations in the city who are interested in using the Irish language to create a bilingual business or organisation.
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 awards. Log onto www.gleg.ie for more information and to enter online free of charge, or you can contact the office at 091 568876. You can nominate your own business/organisation or another business/organisation that is based in Galway city.
You don’t need to be a fluent speaker to participate as the team 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. They will arrange a 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 Gradam has developed and created fantastic opportunities for the Irish language to flourish in Galway city over the last 20 years, attracting nominations from multinationals, 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 or organisation and are proud to play their part to strengthen Galway’s bilingual status.
It is the longest running bilingual award of it’s kind in Ireland and 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.
