Mayo businesses shortlisted for the Gradaim Ghnó awards announced

WITH a record number of entries in this year’s Business with Irish Awards - Gradaim Ghnó le Gaeilge, Gnó Mhaigh Eo has announced the shortlisted businesses who will be recognised for their efforts in promoting the Irish language in their business at an awards ceremony in the Linenhall Arts Centre on April 5.

Over 40 entries were received this year and the task of choosing five shortlisted entries in each of the four categories was not an easy one!

When asked about the application process this year, CEO of Gnó Mhaigh Eo, Freda Nic Giolla Chatháin, said that the standard of all applicants was extremely high, and the shortlisting process was majorly challenging for the judges. They were overwhelmed with the level and calibre of entrants and it bodes well for the future of Gnó Mhaigh Eo.

The awards seek to recognise businesses for their efforts in the categories of Signage, Branding, Business Materials and Service and the shortlists read as follows:

Comharthaíocht | Signage

• Ballinrobe Dental, Baile an Róba

• Cupán Joe, Caisleán an Bharraigh

• Westport Town Hall, Cathair na Mart

• Quay 2 Beauty, Cathair na Mart

• Portwest, Cathair na Mart

Brandáil | Branding

• A Stóirín, Caisleán an Bharraigh

• An File, Cathair na Mart

• An Port Mór, Cathair na Mart

• Solas, Cluain Cearbán

• Suí, Cathair na Mart

Ábhair Ghnó | Business Materials

• Mongey Opticians, Caisleán an Bharraigh & Baile an Róba

• Petals, Caisleán an Bharraigh & Cathair na Mart

• Saileen Drumm, Baile Uí Fhiacháin

• Tom Brawn, Cathair na Mart

• Westport Walking Tours, Cathair na Mart

Seirbhís Ghaeilge | Irish Language Service

• Castle Book Shop, Caisleán an Bharraigh

• Staunton’s Pharmacy, Caisleán an Barraigh

• Moran’s Shoes, Béal an Átha

• Treacy’s Pharmacy, Baile an Róba

• Supervalu, Cathair na Mart

During the awards ceremony on April 5, prizes to the value of over €15,000 will be divided among the winners of each category.

Ruth Ní Éanacháin, who was in charge of the application process with Gnó Mhaigh Eo this year, said that the standard in each of the categories is extremely high and believes the awards will serve to encourage more businesses in using the Irish language where possible.

She said: “Given that businesses are continually looking for ways in which to stand out in a saturated market, this is a no-brainer.

"The businesses we have worked with over the past number of months have noticed the difference in using Irish to enhance their image. Tá an próiseas thar a bheith simplí and it also enables a type of customer engagement that is incredibly unique and memorable”.

As the shortlists have been compiled, attention now turns to the panel of judges who will be tasked with the challenge of choosing a winner in each category. The judging panel will consist of Pádraic Ó Raighne, Marketing Manager of TG4, Pádraic Ó Conghaile, Foras na Gaeilge, Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, Author, Publisher and Cathaoirleach of Togra Mhaigh Eo and Clíona Ní Mhurchú, Regional Sales Manager with Top Oil, former winner of the prestigious Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh in Galway.