Minister to present Gnó Mhaigh Eo Business with Irish Awards
THE winners of the Gnó Mhaigh Eo Business with Irish Awards, Gradaim Ghnó le Gaeilge, will be announced at a ceremony in Knockranny House, Westport, tomorrow (Thursday) night, starting at 7.30 p.m.
The Minister of State of Gaeltacht Affairs, Seán Kyne, will present the awards.
These awards, which are worth over €2,500 to the winner of each category, recognise the great work being done by businesses throughout the county who have successfully incorporated the Irish language into their business. The following is the shortlist.
Comharthaíocht | Signage: De Búrca, Siopa Búistéara, Caisleán an Bharraigh; Bronntanas, Siopa Féiríní, Caisleán an Bharraigh; Staunton’s, Cógaslann, Caisleán an Bharraigh; Na Mistéalaigh, Caisleán an Bharraigh; agus Keans, Siopa Crua-Earraí, Clár Chlainne Mhuiris.
Brandáil | Branding: Carraig Donn, Cathair na Mart; Gúna Nua, Béal an Átha agus Cathair na Mart; An Port Mór, Cathair na Mart; A Stóirín, Caisleán an Bharraigh; agus Cuinneog, Balla, Clár Chlainne Mhuiris.
Ábhair Ghnó | Business Materials: The Linenhall, Caisleán an Bharraigh; Petals, Caisleán an Bharraigh; Tom Brawn, Cathair na Mart; Bosh, Caisleán an Bharraigh; agus Clew Bay Creations, Leic Ainimhe.
Seirbhís Ghaeilge | Irish Language Service: Séamus Ó Conaill, Mórdhíol Uí Chonaill, Cathair na Mart; Aoibhinn Nic Giobúin, Eddie Egan’s, Caisleán an Bharraigh; Noel Phillips, Phillips’ Menswear, Clár Chlainne Mhuiris; agus Caitlín Uí Cheallaigh, Carrowholly Stables, Cathair na Mart.
The final decisions are being made by a panel of independent adjudicators, namely Dr. Gearóid Trimble, Clárbhainisteoir, Foras na Gaeilge, Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, teacher, author, publisher and chairperson of Togra Mhaigh Eo, and Clíona Ní Mhurchú, regional sales manager with Top Oil, the winners of Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s prestigious Business with Irish Award, agus Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh.
Each business has a different product, each business owner has a different story to tell, but all businesses have one common goal and that is to use our linguistic heritage as part of their core ethos.
Gnó Mhaigh Eo is thrilled with the efforts made by all the businesses who applied.
Commenting about the awards, CEO of Gnó Mhaigh Eo, Freda Nic Giolla Chatháin, said: “The standard of all applications was extremely high, and the shortlisting process was majorly challenging for the judges.
“They were very impressed with the level and calibre of the applications and it bodes well for the future of Gnó Mhaigh Eo.”
With the awards growing from strength to strength, this year boasts an impressive show of support from local enterprise.
The Connaught Telegraph is the main sponsor, offering an advertising package to the value of €1,000 to each winner.
Midwest Radio is also sponsoring an advertisement package to the value of €500 and All In Design and Print have sponsored a print and design package to the value of €500.
Ronan Halpin, a well-established Mayo artist, has custom made the awards which will be presented on the night and the Local Enterprise Office have offered a package of soft supports, which will be of great value to each winner.
This show of support from such local businesses, combined with the exceptional number of applicants to this year’s awards, not only displays the ever-growing influence of Gnó Mhaigh Eo on the business community, but it also reflects the growing interest in the language across the county.