Remarks by President McAleese at Aughrim Tidy Towns Celebration Day Wicklow Sunday, 20 April 2008
Remarks by President McAleese at Aughrim Tidy Towns Celebration Day Wicklow Sunday, 20 April 2008
Tá an-áthas orm bheith anseo libh agus muid ag céiliúradh an ócáid mhór, ócáid an-speisialta seo. Comhghairdeas libh go léir. Congratulations to Aughrim - Ireland's Tidiest Town!
This is a very special occasion for Aughrim, one long hoped for by all those who over the years brought Aughrim close to the top of the Tidy Towns competition by dint of their hard work and now at last have pulled off that elusive, unique accolade - the top prize. Today, the name of Aughrim is added to the roll of only 33 towns in all of Ireland who have won the right to call themselves Ireland's Tidiest Town.
Somehow the word ‘tidy’ doesn’t do it full justice - this is an immaculate town where the efforts of the people to make it beautiful, welcoming and memorable complement the work of the Creator who gave us this magnificent valley and the work of history which gave Aughrim such an illustrious place in the struggle of the Irish people for a republic of equals. The gentle meeting of today’s tranquil rivers gives little clue to more violent encounters at Rednagh Bridge where the name of the brave Anne Devlin reminds us of the sacrifices made for us by our ancestors. Nature surrounded the place with granite and Aughrim’s citizens used that resource well to ensure that 'the granite village' would sit easily and comfortably on its surrounding landscape.
Generations have left their mark here, most in much less favourable times than those we are privileged to live in. Today, the town is bursting with pride at the achievements of this generation, a pride and a gratitude that can be seen in the beautiful nature walk named after a great champion of Aughrim’s Tidy Towns Committee, Sean Linehan, an adopted son of Aughrim, a member of the Garda Síochána who, while stationed here for 26 years put his spare time to very good use. The beautiful walk that meanders alongside Ballycreen Brook for many miles is a fitting, touching tribute to someone who cares for this place as deeply as this place cares for him. Congratulations also go to Coillte for its generous assistance in creating such a magnificent amenity for the people of Aughrim and district and visitors.
The Tidy Towns Competition is celebrating fifty years this year. For a lot of those years people here worked and prayed for a day like this. Now it has arrived. Enjoy it and please join me in congratulating all those who brought this day about: the members of Aughrim Tidy Towns Committee, especially Jim O'Brien, Barry Moules and Chairman Bernard Keating; the FAS workers who took on so many challenges with commitment and skill; and Wicklow County Council for its ongoing support to the town over the years. This award marks Aughrim out as a place of beauty above all others and on this day it is easy to see why.
Congratulations!