It was a great day for Galway businesses at the annual ‘GRADAIM Gnó na hÉireann’ businesses awards this week, with seventeen claiming awards.
This is the second year of the national recognition scheme GRADAIM Gnó na hÉireann, managed by Glór na nGael.
Awards are granted to businesses for achieving a certain standard in the use of the Irish language across three major areas: 1. Signage, 2. Branding and Marketing, and 3. Service in Irish.
Of the Galway businesses honoured on the night, seven achieved Gold medals in all three categories, and two more received the Gold in two categories.
Frainc Mac Cionnaith, the scheme manager at Glór na nGael, explained that the GRADAIM plaques inform the public about the type of Irish language service and signage they can expect from the participating businesses.
“It’s a comprehensive, independent and national assessment process providing accurate, certified and up-to-date information to the public about the type of Irish language service and signage they can expect from the participating businesses.”
“The national recognition awarded to the businesses today, both small and large, is well deserved,” said Mac Cionnaith.
“I congratulate them all, commend them highly for their dedication and commitment, and of course, I thank the representatives from community committees and the language planning officers around the country who are supporting the promotion of the scheme.”
In total 147 businesses received awards on the night, 27 achieved a gold award in all three areas, and 74 others obtained at least one gold award.
Since the scheme’s inception, over 480 recognition awards have been presented.
The winners in Galway and the Connacht region are:
| Gnólacht – Business | Contae – County | Comharthaíocht – Signage | Margaíocht & Brandáil – Marketing and Branding | Seirbhís i nGaeilge – Customer Service in Irish |
| Éalú Aran | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold | |
| Irish Socksciety | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Airgid – Silver | |
| KD Autoparts, Gaillimh | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Airgid – Silver | Bonn Cré-umha – Bronze |
| Rúnda Coffee Stop | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Airgid – Silver | Bonn Airgid – Silver | Bonn Óir – Gold |
| Súil Eile Space | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Airgid – Silver | Bonn Cré-umha – Bronze | Bonn Airgid – Silver |
| Ollmhargadh Mhic Dhonnchadha (Gala) | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Airgid – Silver | Bonn Óir – Gold | |
| Solas Relaxation | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Óir – Gold | ||
| The Green Bee | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Cré-umha – Bronze | ||
| Tribes Press | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Airgid – Silver | Bonn Airgid – Silver | |
| West Coast Bike Hire | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Airgid – Silver | Bonn Óir – Gold |
| An Garraí Glas | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold |
| An Spailpín Fánach | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold |
| Caifé Úna (inis Oirr) | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold |
| Clódóirí CL Print | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold |
| Tesco Siopa an Phobail | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold |
| Bláthanna & Bronntanais Charoline | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold |
| O’Maille T Teo | Co. na Gaillimhe | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold | Bonn Óir – Gold |
