Speech by President Connolly at ATU End of Year Graduate Exhibition
Atlantic Technological University Galway, 5 June 2026
A Chéimithe, a Léachtóirí agus a Chairde Uaisle ar fad, tá áthas orm a bheith i bhur gcomhluadar ag an ócáid fíor-thábhachtach agus speisialta seo i saol na gCéimithe agus a saothar cruthaitheach ar taispeántas acu.
Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le Celine Curtin, Ceann Roinn na nÉalaíon agus Meán Cruthaitheach as ucht an chuiridh.
Today is an important and significant day for you as graduates of this wonderful university and a proud moment for your families, lecturers and friends. This exhibition brings together projects from a range of disciplines in the Department of Creative Arts & Media including Art, Design, Film & Documentary, Animation & Games Design and the Creative Media & Storytelling programmes.
As you all know, bringing an artistic project to completion is no small feat. Years of preparation, experimentation and hard work are distilled into a finished product, even if it may feel unfinished for the artist. I would like to acknowledge your dedication, persistence and perseverance in seeing these projects through to the end. Along with your scrolls, you will also have the work of art which you have created, capturing a particular and special moment in your time at University.
Today also marks the culmination of your journey on your path to your degree. You have all chosen to dedicate the last 3 or 4 years of your life to the study and exploration of creative media, an experience that can be at once inspiring and deeply challenging. On the one hand, you can immerse yourself in art (what a joy!), but on the other, you must present your work to your teachers and peers for critique – a process of learning that is not for the faint-hearted.
In deciding to study creative arts and media, you have taken courage in your hands and chosen a path less travelled. We are indebted to you for that courageous decision.
Tá ról thar a bheith tábhachtach ag na healaíona sa saol, go háitiúil agus go domhanda. Tá teanga ar leith ag baint leo, teanga atá in ann teachtaireacht a chur in iúl is cuma cén ardán atá i gceist. Teanga atá mar dhroichead i dtreo na tuisceana dá lucht féachana, léitheoireachta nó éisteachta.
In a world where we see the polarization of debate, a narrowing of the public discourse and the debasement of language, we need bold, audacious people to question the dominant narrative.
The narrative that seeks to convince us of the inevitability of war, displacement, homelessness and poverty. Now more than ever, critical thinkers who lead with imaginative and creative solutions are absolutely essential.
Is féidir libhse, a Chéimithe, difríocht ollmhór a dhéanamh anois agus sibh ag dul i mbun bhur ngairmeacha.
Tá sibh ábalta mothúcháin a chorraí, cluasa agus súile a oscailt, iontu siúd a thagann i dteagmháil le bhur gcuid ealaíon.
Is sibhse, lucht na n-ealaíon agus na meán cruthaitheach, a chuireann scáthán os ár gcomhair. Scáthán a léiríonn dorchadas, saint, ansmacht agus éagóirí an domhain. Scáthán a chruthaíonn díospóireacht atá fíor-riachtanach.
Having looked at your work here today, it is clear to me that you have both embraced and captured the challenges of life, its nuances and complexities.
I was struck by the range of topics and themes, across so many disciplines. The choice of media is also very interesting, with the specific media chosen as an integral part of the concepts and ideas the artist is seeking to get across. Your work is inspirational, thoughtful and thought-provoking, and gives us all hope.
I am sure that some of you here today will go on to pursue a career in creative arts and media. Others of you will choose different paths.
I have no doubt, however, regardless of whatever choice you make, that the time you have spent here finding your voice, honing your craft, acquiring skills and immersing yourself in a creative community, will stand to you.
Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas ó chroí a dhéanamh libh, a Chéimithe, as an éacht atá déanta agaibh le bhur dtograí.
Guím gach rath oraibh agus sibh ag tabhairt faoin saol lasmuigh den Ollscoil.
Tá súil agam go n-éireoidh go geal libh ar fad.