REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION IN THE IRISH WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE, MANCHESTER
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION IN THE IRISH WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE, MANCHESTER, SATURDAY, 29 JANUARY, 2005
Dia dhíbh, a cháirde go léir. Tá mé iontach sásta bheith anseo libh inniu.
I am delighted to be back here at the Irish World Heritage Centre and to have the opportunity to see some familiar faces and many new ones. Thank you for inviting me here today and for the very warm welcome you have extended to Martin and me.
The last time I visited I saw the exciting plans for the new Irish World Heritage Centre. I know that preparations are ongoing and I would like to commend Michael Forde and the rest of the Irish Diaspora Foundation for undertaking this immense project with such passion and energy and to wish them ádh mór!
I am glad to see so many groups represented here today, not least the seventeen different groups based in the Centre who share a love of all things Irish from dancing to drama, poetry to pipe bands, language to literature to music. In particular I would like to mention the Irish Community Care volunteers who have travelled to be here with us. Yours is an organisation with a long and proud tradition of helping those most in need. Two shortens the journey says the old Irish sean fhocal and your helping hand has surely cut short the anxiety, the loneliness, the worry of so many people. Thank you for the dedication you show, the love you give and for doing it without thought of any reward beyond the hope and happiness you bring into the lives of others.
I would also like to commend the work of the Federation of Irish Societies, who have just finished a national meeting of affiliates. The Federation plays a vital role in drawing together Irish clubs and societies from all over the country, sharing the knowledge and expertise that will make your groups even stronger. The growth and development within the Federation of Irish Societies and in the number and type of members it now holds proves the other old Irish saying ní neart go chur le chéile – there’s strength in working together! The Federation gives voice to the concerns of over one hundred affiliated groups and it is my sincere hope that your organisation continues to grow to best represent and develop your affiliated members and your community.
I am reliably informed that we have a special guest with us here today from the United States and I want to welcome Mr Joe Leech of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and his wife Anne-Marie, who are visiting Manchester to learn about ways to help older Irish people in need of assistance. And what a great place to start – this room is full of experts in the field! I wish you a very fruitful and enjoyable visit with Manchester’s Irish community. Here you will find the deepest and best of Irish traditions and values at work as neighbour helps neighbour as in the meithil of old, as people look out for one another and draw each other into a community of mutual support and care. It’s what we Irish are good at.
Once again, thank you all for your very warm welcome today.
Go n-éirí go geal libh ‘s go raibh maith agaibh.