“We were absolutely delighted to be the overall winners of the Gradam 2017. The Irish language is such a huge part of our culture and heritage and as one of largest public buildings in the City, with a footfall of over 10 million visitors each year, to support the language is something we are extremely proud of. Especially as Galway City was granted the bilingual status last year and winning the European Capital of Culture 2020.
We are so proud that we could influence some of our tenants to embrace the Irish language which they have done in the form of bilingual signage. The tenants have been surprised with the amount of positive feedback they have received.
This is only the start for us, we are going to make sure the Irish language is an integral feature of the Centre with continued use of bilingual signage. We want to normalise the use of Irish as a medium of social and institutional communication. Our main aim for this year is to have continued tenant participation and to impress on them that the Irish language is an irreplaceable element of the City’s identity.
Winning this award is proof that you do not have to be fluent in Irish. All you need is a passion for the language and the support of Gaillimh le Gaeilge. The team of Bríd, Gearóidín and Mícheál have been phenomenal and the reasons the Eyre Square Centre has been successful in winning this award and bringing the Irish language to all of our customers.”
Avril Smith, Ionad na Faiche Móire/Eyre Square Centre, Overall Winners of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2017
