REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE TIDY TOWNS CELEBRATION DAY, EMLY SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2010
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE TIDY TOWNS CELEBRATION DAY, EMLY SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2010
Congratulations to Emly – Ireland’s Tidiest Town! Comhgháirdeachas mór le Imleach lubhair! My thanks to Kevin Giles and to Emly Tidy Towns Committee for the invitation to be here on Emly’s special day, to see at first hand what so impressed the judges and to share the celebrations with all those whose hard work is invested in this proud day when Emly revels in being crowned 2009 Tidy Towns champion.
When Emly was announced Ireland’s Tidiest Town in 2009, it was exactly 30 years since the title had come to South Tipperary only the third time that the county had won the competition. Kilsheelan had two wins back in the 1970s. Now Emly’s name is top of the Tidy Towns Roll of Honour and it is there thanks to the countless hours of sheer hard graft between 1993 when Emly first entered the competition and the day Emly was named the Tidy Towns winner of 2009. That hard work has seen a massive community effort not just to enhance the appearance of the village but to build a vibrant community spirit so that Emly would be a beautiful place and a better place to live for all its residents. It took a lot of willing hands and hearts to tackle the planning, persuading, painting, planting, pruning, watering, weeding, designing, organising, mowing, clipping, coordinating and general beautifying that underpin the achievement of Emly’s Tidy Towns glory. What is very special about the effort is not only that it came from the community but that it was all done by volunteers.
So we know that Emly is blessed not just by a beautiful lush natural landscape but by the care and commitment of its people. This place is of course one of the oldest centres of Christianity in Ireland; indeed it was a Cathedral city until the 16th century. It has a history and heritage that could so easily have been overwhelmed by the changing times but we can see how the community has fought to conserve and protect the lovely old stone buildings like creamery, Duhig House or the barracks and the old village streetscape.
Many a heart was broken here as young men and women took the emigrant path to far off shores but not only did they carry the memory of Emly in their hearts but Emly carried their memory in its heart and it is very poignant to see the emigrant wall that honours the memory of those who made new lives far from their beloved Emly. I am sure your emigrant family, wherever they are, are proud as punch of today’s Emly and its recognition as the national Tidy Towns winner.
Today we think with pride and gratitude of all those who have contributed to this wonderful occasion, the past and present members of Emly Tidy Towns Committee, the residents of all ages, businesses, public agencies, the National School which is celebrating its centenary, the FÁS workers who took on so many challenges with commitment and skill, South Tipperary County Council whose support has been so important and the outstanding leadership offered especially by Denis Heffernan and his daughter Sharon, Jim McEniry and Christopher McGrath. It’s particularly heartening to see so many young people here today and to know that two school children were on the Committee. They say that what is learned in childhood is carved in stone and Emly’s young people have learnt to take responsibility for their own place and to aim high no matter how tough the odds. And the odds are very tough in the Tidy Towns Contest, for communities all over Ireland covet this award and work around the clock to try and achieve it. But on that day in September 2009 at The Royal Hospital Kilmainham all the rest had to accept the judgment of the experts that this was Emly’s year.
And there is more nervous excitement ahead for of course Emly and Carrick on Shannon are flying the Irish flag in Europe this year in the prestigious Entente Florale competition. I wish you and Carrick every success. And of course there is the big day next Monday week when the Tidy Towns 2010 results will be announced in the Helix. But for now let’s take it one year at a time and revel in the fact that the magnificent Tidiest Town trophy 2009 belongs to Emly and to the people of Emly. Thank you for allowing me to share your day of celebration.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.