The business community celebrates Galway’s bilingual spirit this season!
Gaillimh le Gaeilge, in collaboration with Galway City Tidy Towns and Snap Galway, is delighted to announce Tigín as the winner of the Comórtas na Nollag 2024 – a Christmas competition designed to encourage local businesses and organisations to embrace and showcase the Irish language in their festive window displays.
The competition was simple, use An Ghaeilge on your Christmas windows to be in with a chance of winning. It was an impressive first year for Gaillimh le Gaeilge with over 30 businesses participating, six of which were based in Woodquay alone. Check out Gaillimh le Gaeilge social media platform to view the impressive list.
Projects Officer for Gaillimh le Gaeilge and organiser of the Christmas competition, Grace Ní Chonghaile, says:
“Choosing just one winner among the amazing displays, creative ideas, and festivity in every window was not easy. There was, however, one prize to give away, which went to Tigín – comhghairdeas leo!”
Tigín receives a €250 voucher sponsored by Snap Galway, to use on future signage work for their business. Their front window was not the only section of their house decorated with Irish phrases, but their inside mirrors and windows also had several other creative Irish phrases decorating them. Congratulations also to the artist, Owen Durkan. Check out photos of the winning Christmas artwork on our social media, or pop into Tigín the festive season to take a look!
Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s mission is clear: Progressing Gaillimh | Galway as a bilingual city by facilitating, encouraging, and welcoming the use of Irish by all.
The bilingual organisation works hand-in-hand with local businesses to strengthen Galway’s status as a bilingual city. This new festive initiative encourages businesses to incorporate the Irish language into their Christmas windows, fostering a sense of place and identity that is uniquely Galwegian.
From festive phrases like “Nollaig Shona” and “Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise Daoibh”, to bringing a touch of wit and humour into the artwork, with ‘Saintí Link’ and ‘Lig do Ski’, to spreading goodwill and positivity, with greetings such as“Síocháin, Grá agus Sonas. With every display, the season’s magic is brought to life in a bilingual way.
CEO of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Bríd Ní Chonghóile, congratulated the winners and said:
“ Comhghairdeas le Tigín agus míle buíochas do gach duine a ghlac páirt sa chomórtas i mbliana. It was wonderful seeing businesses from all corners of the city participate in the campaign to make Galway a Nollaig Shona this Christmas from the Headford Road to the Westend, to the Latin Quarter, into Woodquay, and finally, to Salthill and Knocknacarra. Beidh muid ar ais arís an bhliain seo chugainn le NÍOS MÓ duaiseanna toisc gur comórtas teann a bhí ann i mbliana.”
A special thanks is extended by Gaillimh le Gaeilge to Galway City Tidy Towns for their support and to Snap Galway for sponsoring the prize. To the participating businesses who contributed to making Galway a truly bilingual #NollaigShona this Christmas, go raibh míle maith agaibh uilig! As a result of your bilingual work, Galway has a reputation as a place where Gaeilge and Béarla coexist harmoniously and where you receive a warm céad míle fáilte.
As you stroll through Galway’s streets this festive season, take a moment to admire the beautifully decorated windows. Nollaig Shona daoibh go léir!
If you are interested in using the Irish language in your business or organisation, please contact us at [email protected]. Tá muid ag súil le cloisteáil uait.
