Jack Chambers TD, Government Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and the Gaeltacht, will announce the Category Winners and the Overall Winner of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2021 at a special awards ceremony taking place this week, Thursday the 4th of November, in the g Hotel, Old Dublin Road at 6.30pm.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge has organised Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh for the past 19 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.
The Gradam event promises to be a great night as sixteen Galway businesses and organisations on the Gradam Gearrliosta join their family, friends and colleagues for the announcement of the new Tribe of Galway City. At the Award ceremony, all the 16 finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their bilingual endeavours and innovations in promoting Galway as a Bilingual city.
The Gradam videos recorded by Gaillimh le Gaeilge and edited by MOLSCÉAL can be found on MOLSCÉAL and Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s social media.
This year, the judging panel received more entries than ever before, but managed to reduce the Shortlist to 16 businesses/organizations. A new category for this year’s Award: ‘Online Business’ is sponsored by Galway Technology Center.
In 2020/2021, the pandemic saw a significant increase in the number of businesses switching online or expanding their online presence. This category reflects this new trend and is aimed at businesses and organizations registered in Galway city and county, who are largely connecting with their customers and key stakeholders online. The judging for this category of the Award was based on their efforts in using the Irish language online, which will include a website, social media, apps, videos, emails.
Every year, Bord Stiúrtha Ghaillimh le Gaeilge assembles a panel of independent judges with a wide range of expertise to select the winners of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh. On the judging panel this year are: Maeliosa Ó hÓgartaigh, Accountant & Business Man and son of the late Seosamh Ó hÓgartaigh, who the award is named after, Colleen Baxter, Membership & Events Coordinator, Galway Chamber and Daithí Ó Gallchobhair, Team Manager, Gaeltacht & the Islands, Wild Atlantic Way.
Bríd Ní Chonghóile, Ardfheidhmeannach, Gaillimh le Gaeilge says:
“All the Shortlisted candidates have shown their commitment to the long-term use of Irish in their business. The judges were also impressed with the importance placed by businesses and organisations 
on actively providing a ‘Service through Irish’ to customers who wish to conduct their business through the medium of Irish. We are also delighted to be able to come together to celebrate and acknowledge in person, the work of the Gradam winners at a special awards ceremony for the first time since 2019! ”
The following businesses and organisations were selected for the Gradam Gearrliosta 2021:
Retail category, sponsored by Galway Bay FM the finalists are:
Corrib Shopping Centre, Murphy and Me
Tourism & Hospitality category, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, the finalists are:
Galway Greyhound Stadium, Hardiman Hotel
Services category, sponsored by Video Sherpa, the finalists are:
Big O Taxis, Dan-Éire Designs, GoBus.ie, OPTiM Payroll, Tribes Press
Online Business category, sponsored by The Galway Technology Centre, the finalists are:
Bród Pobal na Gaillimhe, Grá Chocolates, Healthy Ever After, Irish Socksciety
Non-Profit & Other Companies category, sponsored by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, OÉ Gaillimh, the finalists are:
COPE Galway, Feachtas Rothaíochta na Gaillimhe, St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church.
Go n-éirí go geal leo go léir!
The category winners will receive a business package to the value of €2,000 from the category sponsors. The five 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 five category winners and will receive an Advertising Package 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 get to take home 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.
The names of the winners will remain under wraps until Thursday evening (4th November) when Minister of State Jack Chambers TD will open that important envelope! Keep up to date with the latest news and developments by following Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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.
ENDS
