It's only a few days until the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht,Thomas Byrne TD announces the New Tribe of Galway City at the GRADAM special awards ceremony on Monday 27th of May in The Hardiman.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge, the organisation that promotes the Irish language in Galway city organises various bilingual networking events throughout the year for their Cairde members and supporters. The purpose of these bilingual events is to facilitate the use of the Irish language and provide an opportunity to practice it while establishing new social and business contacts.
A special Lón Gnó was held on Wednesday, 15th May in The Galmont Hotel & Spa, where Cairde members got to meet and greet the Gradam Gearrliosta in advance of the special awards presentation which will be held next Monday (27th May). Gradam finalists mingled and weighed up the competition at the Lón while Seán Lydon snapped their photos!
Speaking about the Gradam awards, Bríd Ní Chonghóile, Príomhfheidhmeannach, Gaillimh le Gaeilge says; "Tá muid ar bís agus ag súil go mór leis an oíche speisialta seo. We are delighted that Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne, TD will join us to announce the category winners and overall winners on his first official visit to Cathair na Gaillimhe. Preparations are well underway, led by our Projects Manager, Gearóidín Hynes and Projects Officer, Grace Conneally - it promises to be a real Galway celebration as family, colleagues and friends join the Gradam Gearrliosta for the announcement of ‘Treibh Nua na Gaillimhe’ for the year ahead. Guímid gach rath orthu go léir."
All the 16 finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their bilingual endeavors and innovations in promoting Galway as a bilingual city at the awards ceremony. You can check out the Gradam Videos on Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s YouTube and social media.
Here is the Gradam Gearrliosta for 2024:
Retail Experience category, sponsored by Galway Bay FM:
Just Art It and St. Vincent de Paul, Westside
Tourism category, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland:
Daróg Wine Bar, Lally Tours, The Hardiman and Tribe Gin School
Customer Service category, sponsored by Computer Troubleshooters Galway:
Murphy & Me, Taylor’s Bar & Beer Garden.
Digital category, sponsored by Platform 94:
Fluff Beag, Irish Socksciety, Wild Atlantic Wicks
Community and Culture category, sponsored by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe:
Feachtas Rothaíochta na Gaillimhe, Galway Art Academy, Galway Trails, Pálás Cinema, Ospís na Gaillimhe
A business package worth €2,000 will be provided by the sponsors for the winners in each category. The five category winners will also receive a replica of the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh sculpture.
One overall winner will be selected from the five category winners. They will receive an advertising package from the Gradam's main media sponsor, the Galway Advertiser, a publicity package from TG4 and a one-year membership of the Galway Chamber and Gaillimh le Gaeilge The overall winner will also receive publicity from MOLSCÉAL. The total value of the benefits and prizes is worth over €43,000.
As part of the overall prize, the winner will recieve a unique sculpture depicting the fourteen tribes of Galway resting over the River Corrib. One tribe stands out as a symbol of the Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh winner, and all future winners to come. The piece of sculpture is designed by the renowned artist Pádraic Reaney and sponsored by Údarás na Gaeltachta.
The Gradam winners are selected each year by an independent panel of judges with a diverse range of expertise. The judging panel for this year includes: Aelmuire Ní Ógartaigh, daughter of the late Seosamh Ó hÓgartaigh, who the award is named after, Margaret Jenkins, Wild Atlantic Way Team Manager, Caroline Ní Fhlatharta, Oifigeach na Gaeilge, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe and Diarmuid Ó Conchubhair, Galway Bay FM.
The names of the winners will remain under wraps until Monday evening when Minister of State Thomas Byrne TD will open that important clúdach litireach! Keep up to date with the latest news and developments by following Gaillimh le Gaeilge's social media: Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn using the hashtag #GradamGleG.
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