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.

Why enter the Gradam?

It is not essential to be a fluent Irish speaker to participate in this prestigious award.

  • National and international reputation

Participating in the Gradam demonstrates your commitment to our national and international reputation as a unique Cultural City that values its linguistic heritage.

  • Bilingual Status

Demonstrates your support for Bilingual Status for Galway City. Why use Irish in your business?

  • Gain Extensive Publicity

Gain Extensive Publicity and create a high profile for your business in the Irish and English Language media.

  • Benefits and Prizes

The total value of the sponsorship for the Gradam is in excess of €27,000, supported by local sponsors. The winners and category winners will also receive a beautiful piece of sculpture especially designed by the renowned artist Pádraic Reaney.

  • Free of Charge

There is no cost associated with entering the Gradam and Gaillimh le Gaeilge are here to help you every step of the way. We will offer you the ‘Gaeilge sa Ghnó/Irish in Business’ service free of charge. This service is a designed bespoke package in which you are guided through the process of adapting some or all your business to bilingualism.

You don’t need to be a fluent speaker to participate.

The Overall winner will recieve:

  • An Advertising Package to the value of €2,000 from the Galway Advertiser
  • A business package to the value of €2,000 from their category sponsor
  • An Advertising Package with TG4
  • A year’s membership with Galway Chamber* and Gaillimh le Gaeilge
  • A beautiful piece of sculpture especially designed by the renowned artist Pádraic Reaney for a year.

 

The Category winners will receive:

  • A business package to the value of €2,000 sponsored by local businesses and institutions. [Listed below]
  • A replica of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh especially designed by the renowned artist Pádraic Reaney
  • Extensive media publicity and acclaim for your business/organisation in the Irish and English language media
  • Publicity on MOLSCÉAL.
  • Special Gradam label to highlight bilingual achievements.

Entries:

Nominations have closed for Gradam 2024.

For more information please contact us on eolas@gleg.ie or 091 568876

 See our Terms & Conditions

Key Dates – Gradam 2024

    • 19th of February – Closing Date for Nominations
    • 8th of April – Deadline for Information Packs
    • 18th of April – Gearrliosta (shortlist) announced
    • Week beginning the 13th of May – Judges visit the Gearrliosta
    • 27th of May– Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2024  Awards Ceremony in the Hardiman Hotel

     

    Judging Panel

    • An tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, son of the late Seosamh Ó hÓgartaigh, founding member and company secretary of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, whom the award is named after.
    • Margaret Jenkins, Manager of the Wild Atlantic Way, Fáilte Ireland.
    • Caroline Ní Fhlatharta, Oifigeach na Gaeilge, Oifig an Uachtaráin Ionaid & Meabhránaí, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe.
    • DOC, Galway Bay FM

    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

    Gradam News

    “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

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