REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION FOR REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMMUNITY GROUPS
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION AT ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN FOR REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMMUNITY GROUPS THROUGHOUT IRELAND
Is cúis mhór áthais dúinn fáilte fíorchaoin a chur romhaibh go léir chuig Áras an Uachtaráin inniu.
Martin and I would like to welcome you to Áras an Uachtaráin this afternoon. A heartfelt ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ to each and every one of you. Today is very much a celebration of the community spirit which you do so much to sustain. It’s an opportunity to say thank you for the work that builds up communities, makes good neighbours and friends out of strangers and enhances the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of our citizens.
My job brings me to neighbourhoods throughout the length and breath of the country. One of the greatest pleasures to me is seeing the great spirit of community that exists everywhere: people from all walks of life showing a tremendous sense of respect and concern for each other to say nothing of creativity and generosity for community groups are involved in the most amazing range of things. Many have formed very effective partnerships with local and central government, with local business, churches, schools and other voluntary organisations and through their work the support system which helps make life tolerable, happy and fulfilled has grown stronger and healthier.
I see the spirit of partnership at work throughout Ireland and at its centre is a strong desire for the widest social inclusion, for it draws in so many people previously overlooked whether because of illness, disability or poverty. That is the Ireland we want to live in, the Ireland that is much more than the great economic success but also the great egalitarian society where no-one lives on the margins.
The spirit of meitheal is still with us today even though the rural agricultural world it grew in has long since changed beyond recognition. Meitheal grew out of people’s need for help from one another at harvest time. But the helping hands were also there when there was no harvest to bring in and when there was help and support needed to simply get through everyday life with its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows. Today a new –can do – energy pervades Ireland and there is no doubt that we are all busier than ever before, but we are still the same human beings who have need of friendship and neighbourliness, who blossom where we are loved and wanted, who blossom too when our gifts and talents help others to achieve their potential.
Events like the Special Olympics and the Paralympics inspire in us a richer and deeper understanding of these words, ability and potential. Through them we have learnt to think again about how to create a truly open society where everyone feels important and needed. The contribution made to our society by those with disabilities is immeasurable. Often they have had to labour doubly or trebly hard, simply to secure their right towards full participation in and enjoyment of life. Their achievements have not just lifted our hearts but lifted our vision and our determination that the future will be better.
During your visit to the Áras, I hope you will meet new friends, share each other’s experiences, form new networks of interest and take away intriguing new perspectives on lives lived to the fullest.
I would like to thank the "Kylemore College Quartet" who are providing us with truly wonderful entertainment this afternoon. I would also like to thank our friends from Civil Defence and the staff here at the Áras who have worked hard to make today enjoyable for everyone.
Enjoy the afternoon and do take some time to visit the State Rooms and Visitor Centre in the House itself and the Hyde Room with its impressive collection of Hughie O’Donoghue paintings.
Today is your day and we hope that you will relax and enjoy this afternoon and return home with happy memories of your visit to the Áras.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.