Speech at a Garden Party to Mark Bloomsday
Áras an Uachtaráin, 12 June 2016
Tá áthas orm féin agus ar Shaidhbhín fáilte a fhearadh romhaibh chuig Áras an Uachtaráin - tá fíorchaoin fáilte roimh gach duine atá anseo. Tá muid thar a bheith sásta go bhfuil sibh in ár gcomhluadar don tráthnóna cairdis, aoibhnis agus comhrá spreagthach seo.
[Sabina and I are very happy to welcome you to áras an Uachtaráin. We are delighted to be sharing your company for an afternoon of enjoyment, friendship and stimulating conversations.]
The garden party season is a special time of the year here in the Áras. It gives Sabina and me an opportunity to welcome to áras an Uachtaráin many citizens who have contributed so much to Irish society through the generous giving of their talents, skills and time.
Today we are delighted to have gathered here so many of those who have left their unique and profound impact on the world of Irish theatre, Irish writing, ‘in performance’ in its widest definition. Looking around me and see so many familiar faces, so many to whom Irish life in all its beautiful contradictions owes so much, and to be able to personally thank you as actors, playwrights, producers, directors, designers and other gifted theatre artists for all you have done to enrich our culture and you are responsible for the ever increasing number who come to wonder at Ireland’s international reputation for excellence in theatre and drama, important to support, never to be taken for granted.
This is an important week, not just in Ireland’s artistic calendar, but in our version of ourselves. On Thursday we will, as a nation, celebrate Bloomsday, honouring not only that great work of twentieth century literature, James Joyce’s Ulysses, but also the creativity and courage it reflects, the exile in its making, for after all Dublin has to be remembered. As we honour James Joyce we do not avoid the doors slammed closed by authoritarian issues of the irrepressible human confrontation that blew them open.
Today, therefore, is a great celebration of creativity, - cruthaitheacht - in its many different forms. It is a reminder of the many great creative talents we, as a nation, have been gifted with including the actors who contribute so much to the cultural dimension of Irish society.
Last week also, of course, marked what would have been the seventy-seventh birthday of Deirdre O’Connell, of the Stanislavski Studio, founder of the Focus Theatre which has played an integral role in the world of Irish theatre. Indeed, many of you here today, will recall it as an important part of your artistic journey and will have your own personal memories of that much loved and respected theatre. So today it is fitting that we remember Deirdre and all she so generously gave to the world of Irish theatre
2016 also, of course, marks the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare whose impact on the world of literature and drama was profound. His work has inspired generations of actors and directors and they, in turn, have inspired generations of audiences by bringing new and imaginative perspectives and interpretations to the plays which have been read and performed around the world for centuries. Many of you here today have imbued Shakespearean roles with your own distinctive talent and skill, and I am delighted you are able to join us here today as we include this important anniversary in our Bloomsday Garden Party celebrations.
May I also pay tribute as I refer to Shakespeare, who wrote from one side of insatiable empire pay tribute to the recently departed Peter Shaffer.
I will never forget seeing ‘The Royal Hunt of the Sun’ in 1964. The ‘Royal Hunt of the Sun’ was preceded by ‘Five Finger Exercise’ in 1958 would be followed by ‘Equus’, ‘Amadeus’ and ‘Black Comedy’.
2016 is, of course, a year of important commemoration and in recent weeks we have been reflecting on the founding moment of our state that was 1916. Some of the most vivid writing of that period, which is enormously important to our understanding of 1916, has been that of the poets of the period and even more importantly the preceding decades; Yeats, Ledwidge, Kettle, Pearse and many other gifted poets whose evocative words remind us of how culture, idealism and an imaginative sense of possibility were central elements of the Rising and the inspiration which the participants drew on had many sources in imagination, many locations in the desire for freedom.
Indeed, this time of commemoration has been a timely reminder of the critical role of creative vision in crafting and shaping a democratic society. It recalls to us the vital role of creative people in any truly functioning society. There can be no doubting the need to support artists and enable them the freedom to produce the works that are so important for the structure of society, and as the best guarantee of the imaginative possibilities of the people for the future.
So today is a celebration, but also a reminder of what we as a society owe to our actors, our writers, our dancers, our musicians and all those who work in the cultural space which is so essential to a viable democracy. But may I repeat we must release ourselves from the myth that poverty and creativity go hand in hand and acknowledge our reciprocal obligation to, and solidarity with, our artists.
Tá áthas orm go raibh an oiread seo agaibh in ann a bheith in ár dteannta inniu. Is mian liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh libh agus sibh a mholadh as bhur dtallanna a roinnt go fial le saoránaigh na tíre, agus don méid a dhéanann sibh ar son clú na hÉireann go hidirnáisiúnta.
[I am delighted that so many of you have been able to join us today. May I congratulate and commend all of you for the talent you so generously share with your fellow citizens, and for all you do to enhance Ireland’s reputation on the international stage.]
I would like to conclude by thanking all those who have worked so hard on behalf of the Áras to make this a wonderful occasion for you. A big thank you to our MC Alan Gilsenan; and to the talented performers who have provided such magnificent entertainment throughout the afternoon. Sabina and I are greatly looking forward to seeing more performances in a few minutes.
On your behalf and my own, I salute the hard work, unfailing good humour and – not least – culinary skills of the staff here in Áras an Uachtaráin.
Our thanks for the assistance of the Civil Defence, our friends from St. John of Gods, the Defence Forces, and our Gaisce volunteers.
Sabina and I hope you have a great afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your time here and thank you for coming.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.
