REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT “CELEBRATION DAY” WESTPORT, CO. MAYO WINNER OF THE TIDY TOWNS COMP
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT “CELEBRATION DAY” WESTPORT, CO. MAYO WINNER OF THE TIDY TOWNS COMPETITION 2008
Tá an-áthas orm bheith anseo libh agus muid ag céiliúradh an ócáid mhór, ócáid an-speisialta seo. Comhgháirdeachas mór le Cathair na Mart!
Westport has done it again! For the third time I have come to this beautiful town to declare it Ireland's Tidiest Town. And it is a truly outstanding town in every single way. It has a legendary physical beauty, wrapped around by Clew Bay and sheltered by Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick. It has an architectural beauty as one of the few planned towns in Ireland, the 18th Century imprint of the great architect James Wyatt still so elegant and timeless. But Westport’s greatest natural asset is her family, the men, women and children who lavish loving care on the place to keep it beautiful for themselves and for the many thousands of visitors who are drawn back here time and again.
What we acknowledge, celebrate and congratulate here today is the magic that is wrought by a community, a hard-working community with deep affection and huge pride for its home. That pride and affection are nowhere more evident than in the massive effort that goes in each year to participating in the Tidy Towns competition. The Tidy Towns began over 50 years ago and since then only four other towns have won the top honour on more than two occasions. Westport is now a very distinguished member of that elite group. And of course in 2008 Westport not only secured the overall title, but you brought home 7 awards in total – an incredible performance and a terrific vindication of this community’s care for Westport.
This award belongs to everyone who made a contribution, no matter how big or small, to Westport’s Tidy Towns team. Each one of you knows the hours and hours of planning, fundraising, clipping, pruning, painting, planting, improving, reorganising, persuading and educating. You know how many hands and hearts and hours of voluntary labour it took to get all the jobs done and done well. You know how important leadership was and so I would like to congratulate the Westport Tidy Towns Committee and their colleagues who have provided this leadership over the years and who have made this day of celebration possible. I know the Committee would be the first to acknowledge the tremendous practical support that the committee received from Mayo County Council and, in particular, Westport Town Council, in their endeavours as well as the army of volunteers who invested their time and effort in bringing this day of celebration to Westport.
I notice that the adjudicators particularly praised the establishment of the Junior Tidy Towns Committee in Westport. They say that what is learnt in childhood is engraved on stone and here the children are learning early how to invest in people and place. They are learning that the more they give and give generously, the more they get back in terms of personal fulfilment and in seeing their shared labours create real beauty and success. I think a lot of Presidents will be making the trip to Westport in the years ahead for Tidy Towns presentations.
Winning Tidy Towns in this tough time our country is going through gives today an added edge. For here, Westport is showcasing a spirit of community resilience, determination and unselfishness, a spirit that is characteristically Irish, a hallmark of our people over many difficult generations. Facing into the tough journey ahead, Westport’s leadership, strength and pride are an important witness to what we are capable of.
Enjoy this day and this latest commemorative plaque and the magnificent sculpture. In shorthand they tell a story of Westport’s people, a story that just keeps on getting better, not by accident or coincidence but by determination and design.
Congratulations to one and all and I hope you enjoy your day.
Comhghairdeas libh arís agus go raibh maith agaibh.