There was great excitement and a strong sense of occasion in Galway this week as Gaillimh le Gaeilge welcomed President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, as Guest of Honour at this year’s Gradam Award ceremony, which crowned Just Art It as the overall winner and 15th Tribe of Galway. Find out more here...
The President received a Céad Míle Fáilte from all those present. During her visit, she met with the Gradam Gearrliosta, members of the Bord Stiúrtha and Foireann Ghaillimh le Gaeilge, Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway, the Chief Executive of Galway City Council, as well as other supporters of the organisation. She then attended the main awards ceremony, where the Cathaoirleach presented her with a beautifully prepared basket of bilingual products from the Gradam Gearrliosta.
Gradam certificates were presented to each of the finalists by the Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Aisling Burke, in recognition of their commitment to the promotion and use of the Irish language across the city.
One of the highlights of the evening was when Minister for the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, announced Just Art It as the overall winner of Gradam 2026. On receiving the award, they were also honoured with the title of the 15th Tribe of Galway, a distinction they will proudly hold for the year ahead.
Speaking about the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh award, Minister Dara Calleary TD said; "Tá áthas orm go bhfuil ar chumas mo Roinne leanúint ar aghaidh leis an tacaíocht a thugann muid do Ghaillimh le Gaeilge agus do Ghradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh."
"The Gradam has now been running for 24 years and is a very important element of the bilingual identity of Galway city. This year there is great diversity among the shortlisted competitors; all should be recognised for their use of the language in their business, which reflects the vitality of the Irish language in the life of the city."
In addition to the overall winner, the Minister unveiled the recipients of this year’s category awards:
Micil Distillery - Winner of the ‘Tourism’ Category, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland
Plámás - Winner of the ‘Customer Service’ Category, sponsored by Computer Troubleshooters
Thrive with Marian - Winner of the ‘Digital’ Category, sponsored by Platform 94
Club Seoltóireachta Húicéir na Gaillimhe - Winner of the ‘Community & Culture’ Category, sponsored by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe
Earlier in the evening, Just Art It was announced as winners of the ‘Retail Experience’ category, sponsored by Galway Bay FM, before going on to claim the overall title of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2026.
As overall winners, they received a specially commissioned sculpture by renowned artist Pádraic Reaney, depicting the 14 Tribes of Galway with one additional tribe representing the Gradam winner — the newest Tribe of Galway. Their prize also includes an advertising package from the Galway Advertiser, a publicity package with TG4, and one year’s membership with Galway Chamber and Gaillimh le Gaeilge.
All category winners received a business support package valued at €2,000, along with a replica of the Gradam sponsored by Údarás na Gaeltachta.
This year’s Gradam Speisialta na Moltóirí, sponsored by Judy Greene Pottery, was presented to Smart Medical who developed the world’s first bilingual AED (Irish/English) and standardised bilingual cabinets, transforming high-traffic public spaces into visible, living spaces for the Irish language.
In recognition of their consistent use of bilingual packaging, Kinvara Skincare was awarded a university scholarship ‘An Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge’ – a two-year language acquisition course. This prestigious qualification is fully sponsored by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe.
Cathaoirleach Ghaillimh le Gaeilge, Professor John Breslin, congratulated all the Gradam winners and commended their bilingual work. He extended a míle buíochas to the President for attending the awards, and to the Minister for the Gaeltacht and his Department for their continued, essential, and highly valued support as the principal funders of Gaillimh le Gaeilge.
He concluded; "The Gradam is more than an awards ceremony; it reflects the steady and meaningful progress being made in strengthening the Irish language in every aspect of city life."
Speaking at the event Príomhfheidhmeannach Ghaillimh le Gaeilge, Bríd Ní Chonghóile said; "Is mór an onóir dúinn go bhfuil Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly, i láthair ag an ócáid speisialta seo, agus go bhfuil an tAire Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary, TD, anseo freisin chun na gradaim a bhronnadh dúinn.
Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh reflects the continued progress being made in Galway as a Gaeltacht Service Town, and the development of Irish as a living language of business, community and culture, as well as strengthening the city’s status as a bilingual city."
Now in its 24th year, Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, Galway’s own bilingual business award, recognises and celebrates companies and organisations that use the Irish language in their day-to-day business in Ireland’s Bilingual City. Gaillimh le Gaeilge, in association with the Galway Advertiser, TG4 and with the support from Galway Chamber organises Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh. The Gradam is named in honour of the late Seosamh Ó hÓgartaigh, founding member and company secretary of Gaillimh le Gaeilge.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge works in association with Galway City Council, the Galway Chamber, and other groups to promote the Irish language in Galway city. Gaillimh le Gaeilge receives its primary funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht through the National Lottery. Foras na Gaeilge supports Plean Teanga Chathair na Gaillimhe, and Galway City Council also provides additional funding. Support is also provided through the CAIRDE scheme, in partnership with the Galway Chamber.
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