REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE GOLD PRESIDENT’S AWARDS – GAISCE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE GOLD PRESIDENT’S AWARDS – GAISCE, DUBLIN CASTLE, TUESDAY, 22ND FEBRUARY
Dia dhíbh go léir tráthnóna. Tá mé iontach sásta bheith anseo libh ar an ócáid speisialta seo agus ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl díbh as an fáilte fíorchaoin.
It is good to be here with you all this afternoon at what is a double celebration – the presentation of Gold Awards to well-deserving young women and men and also the twentieth year of the Gaisce awards. Last year the awards attracted a record eleven and a half thousand young people and this year we hope that record will be matched and, better still, beaten.
I can think of few if any of my functions as President that give me as much pleasure as learning about the experiences of the many, many young people who undertake either a Gold, Silver or Bronze Gaisce challenge. That challenge involves a journey of self-discovery, a journey which reveals so much about yourself to yourself and others. I think you’ll agree that Brendan Kennelly put it well when he presented Silver Gaisce Awards a few years ago. He said that ‘you are not comparing yourself with anyone; you are not competing with anyone; what you are actually doing is creating yourself.’
Gaisce, the President's Award, is the best of pursuits for young people who seek adventure that is matched with a wish to contribute something to society. The young people in this room, you the award recipients, have set for yourselves demanding challenges, tough tests that have stretched you to your emotional, intellectual and physical limits and you haven’t just scraped a pass in those tests, you have done so with flying colours. No-one can now doubt that you have those most important of skills to take you through life - perseverance, self-discipline, leadership ability and, most importantly, caring skills. These are things that no-one else can give you nor can money buy. But they are hugely important gifts for a decent civic society. A decent society does not happen by accident. People have to make it happen and keep on making it happen day in and day out. The more people committing to these awards, the better the future we all have to look forward to. You have challenged yourselves to achieve personal excellence. You have challenged yourselves physically and mentally. But you have also challenged yourselves to contribute in turn to the betterment of the community.
Gathered here are people who have engaged in some wonderful pursuits – one worked as a volunteer for more than a year with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland; another set up a folk group in Cashel and then undertook a 90km expedition in France; another helped in a Romanian orphanage and then went to India as a lay missioner. One young man cycled through the Pyrenees to raise funds for the NCBI, another who holds another Gold – that one in the World Special Olympics - hiked 80km from Killarney to Bantry and raised thousands for charity in the process. And there are many, many more stories that have lifted my heart and make me feel privileged to be amongst such a fine group of young people - not one of who was under any compulsion to undertake the President’s Award but who volunteered themselves to be tried and tested.
You are part of a long established vibrant spirit of adventure and discovery amongst the people of Ireland. Our history is full of inspiring people – some more famous than others. One lesser recounted story and a favourite of mine is about the Old Countess of Desmond, who is reported to have travelled to London in 1604 at the age of 140, pushing her ninety-year-old daughter in a cart, to petition James I for the return of her home. Now there’s perseverance! Or the feat of the young Ulster princes, O’Neill and O’Donnell, escaping from this very Castle in the depths of a vicious winter. The spirit of Tom Crean and Ernest Shackleton, too, lives on, encouraging a new generation to goals of physical effort and mental stamina.
From those and so many other inspirational achievements through the past, new generations of young people have learned the complementary lessons of self-reliance and co-operation. The ability to plan and execute a task requires enterprise and imagination. It also demands the flexibility to respond to a challenge while recognising the needs and strengths of others. Leadership and the moral fibre to take decisions and accept the consequences are the products of reflection on personal performance, acceptance of failings, learning about and building on our strengths.
It is often said that you should test your friends before you need them. The young men and women in this room have, without any compulsion, submitted themselves to the toughest of tests. They have triumphed and their investment in the President’s Awards has been a huge investment in tomorrow’s Ireland. These are the backbone of family, community, workplace, society - young people who are transcending life’s ups and downs with a spirit of “can do”.
Today these 67 admirable young men and women, each with an utterly unique story to tell, will receive the highest accolade this country offers to any citizen - the President’s Gold Award. When you wear the pin, when you write of it on your CVs, others will know the calibre of person they are dealing with - for you went out and deliberately sought life’s challenges before they tripped you up – you made yourselves uncomfortable, set yourselves deadlines, pushed yourselves to the limit. You earned the right to be here.
Gaisce would not have reached its very high standards without a huge support structure which embraces sponsors, fundraisers, schools, families, employers, the remarkable President's Award Leaders, teachers, youth leaders, Gardai and designated persons in third-level colleges and centres like Activity Ireland. I would like to thank them and everyone who has helped to make this great adventure possible for so many.
The President’s Award is very much a team effort but particular thanks are due to Ned Sullivan, Chairman of the Awards, the Council, and the Award Staff team so ably led by John Murphy. We all owe a particular debt to Paschal Taggart who has been instrumental in supporting the development of the award in Northern Ireland.
Looking at the enthusiasm and dedication of this year’s Gold Award recipients before me, it is fair to say that the generosity and faith demonstrated by everyone associated with the Awards has been truly repaid. The future is in good hands. We are incredibly proud of you and full of faith in you.
Comhghairdeas libh arís inniu. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.