REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND MARY McALEESE AT THE SOUTHWARK IRISH PENSIONERS PROJECT
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND MARY McALEESE AT THE SOUTHWARK IRISH PENSIONERS PROJECT, THURSDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2004
Dia dhíbh a cháirde. Tá an-áthas orm bheith i bhur measc ar maidin. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil libh as ucht an cuireadh agus an fáilte a thug sibh dom.
I am glad to be here this morning to meet with you all.
The Southwark Irish Pensioners’ Project is based on a simple concept – providing a place for older Irish people to gather and to have lunch together. But of course it creates much more than the feel good factor created by a pleasant meal, in pleasant company. It creates friendships, happy memories, community spirit and a deep sense of belonging and being important. From hair dos to line dancing, from art classes to baking, this place offers a welcome that adds colour, fun, purpose, vitality and interest to the lives of all who come here. The members themselves are the source of that welcome and that energy, for in being here you offer to each other the gift of company, camaraderie, support and simple friendship.
Your lives link you to Southwark and to Ireland and I am very proud of the fact that those links with Ireland are manifest here in so many different ways and in particular by the funding provided by the Irish Government over the years. And of course since you cannot tell the story of Southwark without also telling the story of the Irish in Southwark, it is only right that you also receive the support of the local authority and of central government.
I know the Irish Embassy here in London has a very high regard for what you do here and that itself is a great credit to all you have accomplished - as indeed are the results of the research project you launched about a year ago and which confirms clearly the value of this work in promoting the wellbeing and fulfilment of Irish pensioners. That success is down to the hard work and commitment of the wonderful team of people who keep the project going day in and day out.
I congratulate, especially the staff team, led by Rita, and the ever young, ever energetic management committee headed up by Bill.
Everywhere I go in the world the sheer goodness and talent of the Irish is a source of wonder and pride. Where two or more are gathered in the name of Ireland they are organising, volunteering, caring, sharing, creating opportunities for each other and making life worthwhile. Here in Southwark you are doing just that and doing it so well that I am not surprised to hear that you received the Irish Post Community Award in 2002 and that the Bank of Ireland chose the Project as its official charity last year. You didn’t set out to win awards or recognition and nothing done here is done for thanks but you surely deserve the thanks of all those who use the service and all of us, Irish men and women whose love of our culture and heritage is enriched by such a fine example as you have created here.
We are an ambitious people too and we love a challenge. You have a dream of finding a permanent home which could provide services seven days a week. I wish you the very best of luck as you chase that dream in this year of your tenth birthday.
Thank you so much for the warm welcome you have given myself and Martin this morning. And thank you for the invaluable work you do in supporting each other. May I wish you a happy tenth birthday!
Go raibh maith agaibh.