Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh

Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, Galway’s Bilingual business award, is the longest running award of its kind in Ireland, is organised by Gaillimh le Gaeilge, in partnership with the Galway Advertiser and with support from TG4 and the Galway Chamber. It is named in honour of the late Seosamh Ó hÓgartaigh, founding member and company secretary of Gaillimh le Gaeilge. This Award aims to recognise companies and organisations in Galway city that demonstrate a visible, genuine, and creative use of the Irish language within their business, thus impacting on their staff, customers, and the bilingual image of the city.

The Galway Advertiser, main sponsor of the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, is the highest circulation local newspaper in the country, and has been independently verified as the clear market leader in advertising in Galway and the surrounding areas. The Galway Advertiser sponsorship package to Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh will include total Advertising to the value of €4,000.

The category winners will be chosen because of the consistent, successful and effective use of bilingualism in their company which makes them ‘stand out’ in their sector. The company must show a strong commitment to the Irish language and demonstrate innovative ways and ideas for further use of the Irish language. The categories are: Retail, Services, Hospitality & Tourism, Online Business and  Other Companies

“Tá áthas an domhain orainn i KD Autoparts a bheith ainmnithe mar bhuaiteoir foriomlán Ghradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2022. We are very proud of Galway’s status as a bilingual city, and we’re dedicated to supporting the Irish language and are undertaking to bring more Irish into the day to day running of our company. We use the Irish language in signage, marketing, website, stationery, service in Irish and also we have Irish on our vans which travel all around the county. Our drivers deliver to Connemara every day, sometimes twice a day, the customers are thrilled to speak with the driver and do business trí Ghaeilge and we are delighted to be able to provide this service for them. Winning Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh this year is an honour and something we as a team are so proud of as it is a recognition of our dedication to continue to do business bilingually and promote the Irish language in Galway and beyond.”

Maureen Duggan, KD AUTOPARTS Gaillimh, overall winner of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2022. 

“We are very proud of Galway’s status as a bilingual city, and we’re dedicated to supporting the Irish language and are undertaking to bring more Irish into the day to day running of our company. We use the Irish language in signage, stationery, on our greeting cards, on our business cards and in advertising.  We also provide a discount to drivers to encourage them to use ‘Tascaí’ on their decal signs. We also have developed an App to let our customers know that their driver can provide a service in Irish. We have a number of drivers who are delighted to provide a ‘Seirbhís trí Ghaeilge’ and this is evident from the moment you contact our office or sit into their cars.” 

Seán Ó Méalóid, Director, Big O Taxis, overall winner of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2021.

“We were absolutely delighted to be announced as ‘Galway’s new Tribe for 2020’ as overall Winners of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh. Having been involved in ‘the Gradam’ for the last number of years we felt that despite Covid 19, the competition this year was extremely high. It is a fantastic boost for our business, our amazing staff and our customers at a time when it is needed most.

The Kings Head has always been about history, heritage and culture. It makes total sense therefore to do our utmost to use our native language wherever and whenever we can, particularly given our location in the Bilingual city of Galway. At first we were unsure how to achieve this until we first engaged with Gaillimh le Gaeilge over 15 years ago. With support and advice initially from Bríd Ni Chonghóile from GleG, we identified some key areas to start with. We began by adding Irish to all of our Menus, Gig Posters, external and internal signage and general advertising.”

Paul Grealish, The Kings Head, overall winner of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2020.

“With a number of native Irish speakers on the team and a customer base that also were fluent Irish speakers we wanted to embrace our Irish language. We have experienced huge support from all the team at Gaillimh le Gaeilge. We are very proud to be part of this celebration of our Irish language and we hope to not only continue with this bilingual brand building but to hopefully encourage the business community at large to also embrace and be proud of our language. As a marketeer, you are trained to identify a tone or voice for the company you represent. So many companies spend so much time looking for that unique identifier, when the reality and solution is right under our nose. We are Irish, we have a voice and a tone and we should celebrate our own unique language.”

Vivienne Molloy, Sweeney Oil- Overall winners of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2019

“We are delighted to win Gradam Seosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2018, this award means so much to our team as we have been working towards a bilingual business for the past 4 years. This year, to win the overall award recognises the enthusiasm and dedication that we have for the Irish language and realise the importance of promoting Galway as Ireland’s only bilingual city.”

Emma Dillion-Leetch, The Connacht Hotel, Overall winners of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2018