REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE ST MICHAEL’S IRISH CENTRE, LIVERPOOL WEDNESDAY, 4 JUNE, 2008
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE ST MICHAEL’S IRISH CENTRE, LIVERPOOL WEDNESDAY, 4 JUNE, 2008
Dia dhíbh, a cháirde go léir. Tá mé iontach sásta bheith anseo libh inniu.
I am delighted to be back in Liverpool, that most Irish of English cities, a place which has a special hold on the hearts of generations of Irish. It is a city I have visited or passed through many, many times but this is my first visit to St Michael’s Irish Centre to meet the people who build up and sustain this hub of social and community life for Merseyside’s Irish family.
Many a time over the years we have heard Liverpool described as the other ‘capital of Ireland’ and so we take a special interest and pride in its designation this year as the European Capital of Culture. Given how much the Irish have contributed to the cultural life and soul of Liverpool, it is only right that I should begin my visit, here, at St Michael’s, the hotbed of Irish cultural activity in the city.
The immigrant’s heart marches to the beat of two quite different drums, one from the old homeland and the other from the new. The immigrant has to bridge these two worlds, living comfortably in the new and bringing the best of his or her ancient identity and heritage to bear on life in an adopted homeland.
He becomes a transmitter of his own culture and a contributor to the deepening of the culture in his new homeland. His children live with intertwined identities - a story I believe you captured beautifully in your recent concert, ‘From Skibbereen to Scotland Road’.
And it is an amazing story, how the Irish community in the twentieth century began to establish and expand its cultural presence with everything from parish céilí nights to the Shamrock Club on Lime Street, the establishment of a branch of Comhaltas Céoltoirí Eireann in 1957, the Irish Centre which opened on Mount Pleasant in 1964, the Liverpool Céilí Band, the arrival on the scene of St Michael’s thanks in no small part to Tommy Walsh. A lot of jigs and reels have been danced, songs sung, and instruments played over the decades, a lot of memories stored, friendships formed and lives made happier.
St Michael’s success is built on the passion and enthusiasm of great people. The Irish in Liverpool have a love of Ireland and things Irish that is showcased in their support for the centre and their care to transmit their love of Irish culture to their children and grandchildren.
Today, the Centre is home to a big clan of organisations which give a flavour of the vibrancy of Irish life in Merseyside: the Bolger Cunningham Irish Dancing School; Comhaltas; Irish Community Care; the James Larkin Flute Band; John Mitchels Gaelic Football Club; Finn Harps Soccer Club and Irish language classes. Most importantly, though, it is a welcoming hearth with an open door and a fáilte to the entire community - whether Irish or not.
The sea between us is no barrier to our bond of kinship and it is great to see St Michael’s work being encouraged by financial support from Ireland through the Community Foundation and the Irish Youth Foundation as well as from the Government of Ireland’s Díon grants. Tommy gave me a tour of the Heritage Room which was funded by Díon and opened by the Irish Ambassador to Great Britain last September. It is just great to hear how it has added a fresh dimension to the centre and is being used now for lectures and classes on Irish history. With the many changes happening in contemporary Irish history, that room is going to be in use for a long time to come.
Thank you to Carmel [Robinson, Chairperson] for the lovely, warm welcome and also to Maureen [Morrison, Centre Manager] for the fantastic work you have done in organising and preparing today’s event, to all the helpers and all who keep St Michael’s buzzing year round.
May St Michael’s Irish Centre continue to thrive for many years to come.
Go n-éirí go geal libh ’s go raibh maith agaibh.