Top 50: Lá recognises use of Irish language
Andersonstown News Group daily, Lá rewards Irish language business efforts
THE Irish language daily newspaper, Lá, last Friday announced the inaugural Top 50 Business as Gaeilge Awards with Foras na Gaeilge and Viridian at a reception attended by the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, T.D.
Over 50 business names and organisations were recognised for their use of the Irish language through their business communications at an event in the Four Seasons Hotel, Dublin.
Speaking at the event, Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, TD, commented: “The initiative by Microsoft last year to launch versions of their software products as Gaeilge is a significant milestone in the development of Irish as a business and community language.
“This initiative complements the valuable work of Foras na Gaeilge and the very many other organisations – such as Conradh na Gaeilge and Gael Linn – who are promoting the development of the Irish language in our society.”
The Minister went on: “I am glad to say that in recent years I have seen a number of significant developments in relation to the Irish language.
“These include the enactment of the Official Languages Act, the growth of gaelscoileanna at primary and secondary levels, the establishment of an all-Ireland implementation body, Foras na Gaeilge, to promote the language and the securing of official and working language status for the language at EU level.”
Special Achievement Awards were presented to six leading business names and companies at the event. Hugh McGee received the Lá award for Best Entrepreneur. He has been building a portfolio of hotels, pubs, bars and garages around the Donegal area for the past twenty years. Hugh also founded Dunree Construction which operates throughout the country. Hugh, who has a personal passion for the language, encourages the use of Irish through his business communications on a daily basis – interacting with staff and customers alike.
Microsoft received the Foras na Gaeilge award for Services through Irish, chosen by the Marketing Institute Chief Executive, Tom Trainor.
Microsoft was given the award for producing an Irish version of Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003. According to Microsoft, in comparison to other countries where packages have been converted, the Irish project experienced the most input and support from staff and the wider community.
The project was developed in conjunction with Foras na Gaeilge with significant assistance and commitment from EG Teo, eTeams, DCU and NUI Maynooth. Both Irish versions are available free from the Microsoft homepage to computer users and businesses alike.
Oideas Gael received the Foras na Gaeilge award for Marketing as Gaeilge, again chosen by the Marketing Institute Chief Executive, Tom Trainor. Oideas Gael organises a variety of Irish language and cultural courses taken as a getaway break or over several weeks during the summer.
Oideas Gael has, through its marketing, attracted people from over 30 countries worldwide to the Irish language. Oideas Gael has made a small Irish language project into a global business.
Rí na Mara received the Viridian award for innovation. In two short years Rí na Mara, which sells a wide range of seaweed-based beauty products throughout Ireland and abroad, has become the number one best selling Irish-produced face cream in the country.
Founder and Director of Rí na Mara, Deirdre Uí Chathmhaoil, was recently awarded the BPW Business Woman of the Year 2006 prize. Rí na Mara uses Irish in everyday communications and has a completely bilingual website to promote their innovative products.
Nemeton was announced winner of the RTÉ Media Award. Founded by Irial Mac Murchú in 1993, Nemeton is an extremely ambitious company, having grown to a total of 20 current employees with offices in Waterford and Dublin. Specialising in outside broadcasts, Nemeton has provided the bulk of TG4’s sport output for the past eight years.
Lá spokesperson Connla Lawlor explained: “We’re very pleased with today’s awards, this is our second cross-border award ceremony in the past six months and we’ve been delighted with the response.
“It has been an honour for us that Minister for Finance Brian Cowen T.D. was available to attend the first Top 50 Business as Gaeilge Awards.”
Eamonn Ó hArgáin of Foras na Gaeilge said, “We’re pleased with the approach taken by the awards with nomination categories not only paying tribute to the use and promotion of the Irish language in businesses across Ireland, but also to the use of the Irish language as a marketing and innovation tool. We’ve been delighted to involve Tom Trainor, Chief Executive of the Marketing Institute, to educate on our behalf.”
Other businesses receiving awards included An Cheathrú Poilí, An Spailpín Fánach, Bank of Ireland, Cois Life, Cumarsáid Creative, Goodfellas, Google, Raidió na Life and Tesco.
