Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, the annual bilingual business award organised by Gaillimh le Gaeilge, to ‘recognise’, ‘honour’ and ‘celebrate’ all the great bilingual work done in Galway, will be announced this Thursday (18th of April), by Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley, T.D. at 6.30pm at a special ceremony in Salthill. Keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news!
The Ardilaun Hotel is among eleven businesses and organisations that have been shortlisted for this prestigious award from a variety of sectors in Galway. In the Tourism & Hospitality category, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, the finalists are: The Ardilaun Hotel, The Galleon, Vina Mara Restaurant and Woodhaven Lodge.
At the Award ceremony, all of the eleven finalists will showcase their bilingual endeavours and innovations in promoting Galway as a Bilingual city. The category winners will receive a business package to the value of €2,000. The four category winners will also receive a replica of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh sponsored by Údarás na Gaeltachta.
The Moltóirí have completed their visits to each of the finalists and were very impressed with what each of the businesses had to show. Of the eleven finalists, five businesses/organisations have entered the Gradam this year for the first time, a true testament to the high standard of bilingualism in Galway City. All of the Finalists clearly demonstrated their long-term commitment to developing the use of the Irish Language in their business. During their visit to each of the finalists, the Moltóirí got the clear impression that the effort to incorporate Irish in the businesses is not a ‘once off’ event for the Gradam but is an ongoing normal part of the businesses’ transactions.
The overall winner of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh will be selected from the four category winners and will receive an Advertising Package to the value of €2,500 from the Galway Advertiser. They will also receive a bespoke National Publicity Campaign as well as a PR & Marketing Consultation workshop to the value of €4,000 from D’Arcy Marketing & PR, a series of 4 Web Strategy workshops sponsored by Aró Internet Business Development and one year’s membership of Galway Chamber. The overall winner will also receive 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 Sheosamh Uí Ógartaigh, and future winners to come. The category winners will each receive a miniature version of Gradam sculpture sponsored by Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Ba mhaith Gaillimh le Gaeilge buíochas a ghabháil leis na hainmnithe ar fad a ghlac páirt i nGradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh i mbliana agus gach rath ar an nGearrliosta! Míle buíochas chomh maith leis na hurraí ar fad a thug tacaíocht don Ghradam thar na blianta.
If anyone would like to come along on the night and support The Ardilaun Hotel, please contact Maria Kelly at the hotel on: 091 519795 or email:mkelly@theardilaunhotel.ie. Check out our facebook page for updates.
