Speech by President Connolly at the launch of the Liberties Festival 2026
St Catherine's Church, Thomas Street, Dublin, 20 July 2026
A chairde uaisle, tá fíor-áthas orm a bheith i bhur gcomhluadar anseo i Séipéal Naomh Catherine, Sráid Thomáis chun Féile na Saoirsí 2026 a sheoladh go hoifigiúil.
Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le Michael McDermott, Stiúrthóir Cruthaitheach na Féile, as ucht an chuiridh.
Tréaslaím freisin le chuile dhuine, ó ghrúpaí áitiúla, oibrithe deonacha agus rannpháirtithe a tháinig le chéile mar mheitheal oibre chun an Fhéile seo a chur os comhair phobal na Saoirsí, agus ar ndóigh na gnólachtaí áitiúla a thugann urraíocht don fhéile.
Tuigim go bhfuil sibh faoi scamall an uaignis agus an bhróin agus duine a mhair go bródúil i bhur measc, Brenda Fricker, imithe romhaibh le cúpla lá. Ach, tá a fhios agam go mbeidh a spiorad agus a grá do na healaíona agus don cheantar seo le mothú agaibh i gcroí-lár imeachtaí na Féile.
It is particularly apt that we are gathered in St Catherine’s Church, a building so embedded in, and imbued with, the history of the Liberties. For almost 1,000 years, a church has stood on this site, not only bearing witness to – but reflecting – the ebbs and flows of life in the community. Through cycles of building and rebuilding, dereliction and restoration, St Catherine’s has changed hands a number of times. In its many guises, it has served the community as a place of religious worship but also as an important cultural centre, counting the Chieftains and Christy Moore among those who have performed here.
The Liberties – so named for its historical autonomy from the authority of the city of Dublin – the area has long been a hub of creativity. Its independent status bestowed certain privileges, including administrating justice, collecting taxes and regulating trade. This freedom to pursue its own vision – along with an openness to new arrivals who brought a diversity of skills and ideas - allowed the area to flourish and thrive as a centre for craftsmanship, commerce, music and imagination.
Is ón neamhspleáchais seo a cruthaíodh fréamhacha láidre an cheantair shainiúil seo.
Ceantar a thuigeann brí an fhocail Saoirse, go gciallaíonn sé go bhfuil tú neamhspleách, saor ó leatrom, go bhfuil do phribhléid agat do theanga, do chuid ceoil, do chuid nósanna a chleachtadh gan eagla, gan cháineadh.
Ceantar croíúil a bhí agus atá fáilteach roimh dhaoine as baile isteach a tháinig chun na háite ag lorg oibre, deiseanna nua, dídean agus tearmann.
(Ceantar) le traidisiúin, scéalta, amhráin agus béaloideas nár laghdaíodh ach a bhláthaigh trí a bheith oscailteach agus fáilteach do na ceoltóirí a mealladh i dtreo ‘mecca’ an cheoil thraidisiúnta.
Indeed, the street signs and names of buildings – from Cook Street to Weaver Park, Blackpitts to Tailor’s Hall – are a daily reminder of that history.
Over the next seven days, the area will be buzzing with music, dancing, bee keeping, bell ringing, poetry and so many other wonderful activities – for all ages – in a wide range of venues. Soak up Tunes in the Bee Loud Glade; dance with your neighbour at the annual Blue Rinse Ball; settle in for a fresh adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood; or listen to the resounding voices of young people who have created the theatre piece “Common”.
This special production, described as a ‘work in progress’, is about challenging prejudice, celebrating working-class identity and finding connection in unexpected places.
This week is an invitation to join this wonderful community who give the Liberties its unique character. I can think of no better description of the community than “Unruly Spirits”, a title I’ve taken from one of the events – “Unruly Spirits: Rebellious Women in Song.”
That the festival has now run for over half a century is a testament to your hard work, dedication and commitment, and to what you as a community have built.
Is ábhar dóchais agus misnigh go bhfuil an tábhacht a bhaineann le pobal a thacaíonn agus a sheasann le chéile bliain i ndiaidh bliana fite fuaite i gclár na Féile seo. Ba mhaith liom tréaslú le Togra Pobail na Saoirsí a chuireann tacaíocht ar fáil do himircigh, do pháistí tar éis am scoile, do dhaoine níos sine agus don athghiniúint fíor-thábhachtach atá á dhéanamh ar thithíocht sóisialta Oliver Bond.
The theme for tonight’s event (Says She) - “Roots and Rearers” – is particularly relevant. We are rooted in, reared, and profoundly shaped by our communities. Our roots nourish us as we grow and link us with those who came before. This grounding allows us not only to venture out and explore, but gives us the confidence to welcome new communities and different ideas.
Indeed, the Liberties has long been a shining example of a community embracing diversity and realising its strength.
Over the centuries, this area has welcomed newcomers – from the Huguenots who fled religious persecution in France and settled here, to the rural migrants who came seeking work, a better life or the freedom to be.
A number of counties stand out – Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Galway and Clare – and they brought with them their music, their songs and their stories – along, of course, with their range of skills and work ethic. Craftspeople, brewers, distillers, tailors, to name only some. All contributed and helped shape a neighbourhood renowned for its industry and creativity.
We are indebted to you for your courage, your boldness and your vision.
As I travel around the country as President of Ireland, what is becoming ever more clear to me is that the solutions to the challenges we face lie within our communities, but that they must be empowered, enabled and resourced.
Moreover, the provision of accessible public space is absolutely essential to nurture creativity, imagination and the confidence to find your own voice. To echo Michael McDermott’s words of welcome in the Festival Programme, “in the absence of a significant, publicly available community space, it is crucial that the institutions we are blessed with continue to use their spaces and platforms to connect with those who may not always see themselves in these spaces.”
Tonight’s programme of poetry and spoken word – hosted by poets Jan Brierton and Martina Keegan – is a lovely way to start this festival. I recently had the pleasure of listening to Jan’s interview with Martina on the “Everybody Is A Poem” podcast, and both left an indelible mark on me.
Carefully chosen words by poets cut through the noise and dominant narrative that bombards us on a daily basis, stripping back language to its essence.
In striving to understand, uncover and articulate the nuance and complexity of life, your work is profoundly meaningful.
Furthermore, Debbie Byrne’s poem on growing up in the Liberties resonated with me on so many levels. Familiar memories of childhood evoking laughter and tears, and at the same time challenging us to reflect on where we are going as a society.
Mar fhocail scoir, tá beocht agus croí na Saoirsí le sonrú san fhilíocht, sa cheol, sa ghreann, sa stair agus an spiorad a eascraíonn ó bhur muintir romhaibh agus atá á cheiliúradh agus á chaomhnú go spleodrach agaibh le linn na féile seo.
Is pribhléid ollmhór an fhéile seo a oscailt go hoifigiúil.
Bainigí sult, spraoi agus scléip aisti.
Go n-éirí an t-ádh libh.