Cara Credit Union Receive Prestigious GRADAIM Gnó na hÉireann Awards
Cara Credit Union has achieve the Irish Business Awards, GRADAIM, this year. Over 250 representatives from the awarded companies gathered at a special event organised by Glór na nGael in Croke Park on 12 November 2024 to celebrate businesses that have incorporated the Irish language into their operations or are providing services through Irish to their customers.
GRADAIM is a recognition scheme that awards Bronze, Silver, or Gold status to companies based on their achievements in one, two, or all three of the following categories: 1. Signage, 2. Branding and Marketing, 3. Service in Irish. Cara Credit Union received gold in all three categories.
Additionally, Cara Credit Union received the Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge. The Q-Mharc signifies awareness of and commitment to bilingualism in business and culture through language, enhancing indigenous characteristics or ‘Irishness’. It also displays market leadership in innovative customer service provision.
Speaking to Pa Laide, CEO, Cara Credit Union ; “We are very proud to have a branch of Cara Credit Union in the Gaeltacht area of Corca Dhuibhne. It is important to us that we recognise the central role of our language in the country’s culture and identity. In Cara Credit Union, our approach not only celebrates cultural heritage but also aligns with modern business practices.”
The scheme manager, Frainc Mac Cionnaith, Enterprise and Business Development Manager at Glór na nGael, expressed his delight that over 200 businesses were registered with GRADAIM this year. “I would like to congratulate all the businesses that received GRADAIM awards this year. During the judging in September, I saw the valuable work these companies are doing in relation to the Irish language. I am delighted that these efforts are being recognised nationally, as they deserve. The number of participating businesses this year is a source of pride and reflects the high standard of Irish language service available and growing year on year.”
Speaking at the event, Feargal Ó Coigligh, Secretary-General of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media, congratulated all the businesses. “Tá sibhse, na gnólachtaí a ghlacann páirt i scéim nGRADAIM Gnó na hÉireann ag tabhairt brí don Ghaeilge agus ag taispeáint don phobal, ar fud na tíre agus níos faide i gcéin go deimhin, go bhfuil pobal láidir Gaeilge anseo.
“Taispeánan GRADAIM Gnó an ioliomad deiseanna agus buntáistí a chuireann an Ghaeilge ar fáil do gach uile earnáil, óstáin, comhar creidmheasa, caiféanna, gnóanna sláinte, sna meáin, cúrsaí spóirt agus turasóireacht.”
(Translation: “You, the businesses participating in the GRADAIM Irish Business Awards scheme, are bringing meaning to the Irish language and showing the public, across the country and indeed further afield, that there is a strong Irish-speaking community here. GRADAIM demonstrates the many opportunities and benefits the Irish language offers across every sector,
including hotels, credit unions, cafes, health businesses, media, sports, and tourism.”) The Irish Business Awards, Gradaim Gnó na hÉireann, were launched in 2021 and are run by Glór na nGael. They cover the entire island of Ireland. Businesses can find all the information about the scheme at www.glornangael.ie/gradaim
