Search is on for the Best Bilingual Business

Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh oscailte d’Ainmniúchán anois!

Attending the launch were last year's winner Patricia Lohan of Lohan's, Salthill, mayor Declan McDonnell, Brid Ni Chonghaile of Gaillimhe Le Gaeilge, and Brendan O'Hara of Galway City Museum. Pictures: Mike Shaughnessy

Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, the annual business award that recognises, honours and celebrates all the superb bilingual work undertaken in Galway city is now open for nominations.

Gaillimh le Gaeilge, which organises this prestigious award in association with the Galway Advertiser is encouraging any company or organisation that are using Irish in its business or organisation to put its name forward. The closing date for applications is Thursday, January 14, 2010.

Now in its eighth year, the Gradam has gone from strength to strength, attracting new companies every year from a wide variety of sectors in Galway city. Despite the economic downturn, local companies have continued to support the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh Award with a fantastic business package to the value of €15,000.

This ‘amazing business package’ involves an advertising deal with the Galway Advertiser, 38 daytime advertising spots with Galway Bay FM, consultation on printing, design and marketing with Snap Printing,Galway, a return flight for six people to Edinburgh with Galway Airport, free membership for a year with the Galway Chamber and with Gaillimh le Gaeilge.

The award features two categories – companies with more than 20 employees and companies with 20 or fewer employees with the winner of each category receiving a replica of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh to keep sponsored by Údarás na Gaeltachta.

The winner will also receive Séala Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh — a ‘Q Mark’ for the Irish language in Galway city — developed by Galway County & City Enterprise Board as well as a beautiful piece of sculpture especially designed by Pádraic Reaney symbolising the 14 Tribes of Galway, with one “present day Tribe” representing the winner of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh and future winners to come.

Patricia Lohan from Lohans Bar & Restaurant who won the award last year highlighted the impact winning Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh had on their business:

“The award has created such a positive vibe of enthusiasm and excitement throughout the business from the customers and staff alike.

"The weeks of coverage leading up to and following the award in local, regional and not to mention national print and audio media heightened the profile of Lohans to another level which, in turn, generated a much greater recognition for the company not to mention a dramatic increase in the number of Irish speakers in Lohans.

"We would encourage strongly all businesses small or large to start integrating Gaeilge into their business; it’s a unique, cost effective way of differentiating yourself from your competitors," she said.

This is the perfect opportunity for any business to put itself out there as a company which is proud to use the Irish language in its business. Gaillimh le Gaeilge provides a ‘Gaeilge sa Ghnó’ service, free of charge to help businesses/organistaions prepare for the Gradam. If you would like more information about Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, please contact Gaillimh le Gaeilge on 091 568876 or visit www.gleg.ie. Go n-éirí libh!

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