Minister Calleary announces Just Art It as the winner of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2026
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 25 May 2026
- Last updated on: 25 May 2026
- Minister Calleary presents awards to overall winner and to winners of five different categories
- The Gradam has now been running for 24 years and is recognised as a highly important aspect of Galway City’s bilingual identity
- This year the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has approved funding of €201,000 for Gaillimh le Gaeilge
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has announced the winner of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh at the Gradam’s awards ceremony this afternoon in the Salthill Hotel, Galway.
Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh is organised by Gaillimh le Gaeilge, in partnership with the Galway Advertiser and TG4 and with special support from the Galway Chamber.
This Gradam is an important occasion in the Irish language calendar and among Galway City’s business events, and has been going from strength to strength in its mission of the people of Galway having access to Irish-language services from the city’s businesses.
The Gradam has been running for 24 years and is recognised as a highly important aspect of Galway City’s bilingual identity. The winners of the categories were selected based on their continuous, successful and effective use of bilingualism in their business/organisation so that they ‘stand out’ in their sector.
The business/organisation must have a strong commitment to the Irish language and must show the innovative means and ideas by which they intend to use it even more.
The categories of the Gradam this year are as follows: Retail; Customer Service; Tourism; Digital; and Community & Culture.
Just Art It are this year’s overall winners. The sponsorship of the Gradam is worth over €27,000 this year, with support from local sponsors. Additionally, the overall winners and category winners receive a beautiful piece of sculpture designed specially by the celebrated artist Pádraic Reaney.
Speaking at the event this afternoon, Minister Dara Calleary TD said:
“I am delighted that my Department – the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht – can continue with our support for Gaillimh le Gaeilge and for Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh. Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh plays a vital role in promoting Galway's bilingual status in the city. I am heartened that the Irish language is growing in every business sector in Galway and that the work of Gaillimh le Gaeilge is giving a dynamic, modern energy to the language.
“By recognising and celebrating businesses which use Irish in their daily operations, these awards inspire other groups to emulate them and show more pride in the Irish language and culture in their activities.”
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Bríd Ní Chonghóile, said:
“We are very grateful that the President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, is attending this special occasion and that the Minister for Rural and Community and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, is also here to present the awards for us.
“Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh is a significant occasion for Gaillimh le Gaeilge and for all of the businesses which are placing Irish at the centre of their service.
“This Gradam shows the progress being made continuously in Galway as a Gaeltacht Service Town, the development underway on the Irish language as a living language for business, community and culture, and the city’s status as a bilingual city.”
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht is the primary funder of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, providing an operating grant of up to €201,000 for the organisation this year.