FOIREANN

Staff

Bríd Ní Chonghóile

CEO

brid@gleg.ie

Bríd Ní Chonghóile is a native of Ceathrú na gCloch in the Mayo Gaeltacht. Bríd has over 20 years’ experience promoting Galway as a Bilingual City and as a world centre for Irish Celtic Culture to both the Irish and European communities.

In her role as Príomhfheidhmeannach, she has the overall responsibility for the day to day management of Gaillimh le Gaeilge; developing and growing the Bord Stiúrtha’s business  plan in a progressive and innovative way, as well as building and maintaining strong business relationships and links with businesses, sports and voluntary groups, stakeholders, government departments and other relevant groups. Bríd served as a board member of the Galway Chamber, the Galway VEC (now called GRETB), Foras na Gaeilge, the Tourism Mechanisms Group and is a member of the Galway City Community Network.

She is a former President of Network Ireland, Galway, the organisation for Women in Business and a former member of the National Executive of Network Ireland, the organisation for Women in Business. Bríd was presented with the award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Business in Galway’ at the Network Galway Business Women of the year and she has also been awarded a ‘Vodafone Passion for the World Around us Award’ in association with the Galway Chamber for her dedication to promoting the Irish language in Galway city.

Gearóidín Hynes

Bainisteoir Tograí

gearoidin@gleg.ie

Gearóidín is a native of Galway city. She received a degree in Irish, Sociology and Politics in NUI Galway and then proceeded to complete a Masters in Business and Information Technology with FIONTAR in DCU. Gearóidín worked with various organisations in Dublin including Axis Arts Centre, St. Patrick’s College and Foras na Gaeilge.

In her role as Bainisteoir Tograí, Gearóidín is in charge of implementing a wide variety of projects which Gaillimh le Gaeilge undertakes such as Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, Gaeilge sa Ghnó, Business Directory, Dialann Ghaillimh le Gaeilge, Irish on the Menus and Pioc Suas Mé! – Give Irish a Go. Gearóidín also contacts and meets representatives of local businesses to advise and assist them using the Irish language in their business. Gearóidín is also responsible for developing and updating www.gleg.ie.

Grace Conneally

Oifigeach Tograí

ciara@gleg.ie

Grace Conneally (Ní Chonghaile) is a Galway Girl, from Headford. She received a first class honours degree in Applied Languages in the University of Limerick, studying Irish and French with marketing and linguistics. Before Grace started with Gaillimh le Gaeilge, she worked as the researcher and script coordinator for Ros na Rún, a soap opera broadcasted weekly on TG4. Grace really enjoyed this job, but was ready to move on and outside of An Spidéal, to learn new things and avail of new opportunities in the city!

Grace believes that our language is one of the most important things in life as Irish people, without Irish – we would lose part of our heritage, part of our culture. In her own words; “that is why I am so proud to be part of the Gaillimh le Gaeilge team, in a company that focuses on the development of Iris in the heart of Galway city”. Grace is the Project’s Officer with us in Gaillimh le Gaeilge, she loves attending events, meeting different and new people from all parts of the country, and the world!

Majella O’Meara

Majella O’Meara hails from Tipperary. She is an MA graduate of Irish Translation from the National University of Ireland, Galway and is a qualified translator of Irish. She is a qualified primary teacher and a BAE graduate of European-Studies from University College Cork  where she studied EU Politics, Irish Politics, International Relations, Law, History, German and Spanish in her degree. She also got the opportunity to study on Erasmus at The University of Konstanz, Germany. She has a Certificate in Russian language and a Diploma in Communications & Business Strategy. Majella worked as a University Lecturer, Founder and Senior Director of Irish language, Irish-Studies and Irish Cultural-Studies at  BA ,MA & PhD  level in Slovakia funded by the Irish government. This was the first time ever that the Irish government funded this  invaluable work in Slovakia. Majella also worked as a Legal Translator of Irish for the European Commission and has translated Irish for the Irish government, translating government reports and Ministers speeches into Irish. She has translated Irish for The Department of Medicine, NUIG, The Department of Veterinary Medicine UCD and has translated for The Departments of Biomedical Engineering in universities across Ireland. As a qualified primary teacher, she worked as a teacher in gaelscoileanna implementing Irish language immersion education. She taught Irish language summer programmes on the Aran Islands, Carraroe and Corca Dhuibhne gaeltachts. Majella is on the committee of Conradh na Gaeilge, Limerick city and she actively volunteers to develop the Irish language in Limerick city in her spare time. She is interested in journalism. She has a few year’s Irish language journalism experience.

Majella loves learning languages, travelling and creativity. She is a jewellery designer in her spare time. She has a great interest in History, Heritage, Culture, Politics, Current Affairs and all things Irish. Majella is delighted to work as Irish Language Planner for Gaillimh le Gaeilge.