Address at Official Opening of International Pan-Celtic Festival 2026
George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow, 7 April 2026
A Chairde Uaisle, Gaelacha agus Ceilteacha, is mór an onóir dom mar Uachtarán na hÉireann míle fáilte a chur romhaibh uilig chuig Féile Idirnáisiúnta Pan Cheilteach 2026.
Ba mhaith liom buíochas ó chroí a ghabháil le Bríde de Róiste, Cathaoirleach na Féile, as ucht an chuiridh a bheith i bhur gcomhluadar inniu leis an bhFéile a oscailt go hoifigiúil.
Tá sibh tagtha go Ceatharlach ó chuile cheann de na 6 náisiún Ceilteach, ó Alba, Cymru, Breizh, Mannin, Kernow agus dar ndóigh as Éirinn.
Tréaslaím libh ar fad as an dua a chur sibh oraibh féin taisteal thar sáile agus ó chuile chearn den tír seo chun bhur gcultúr Ceilteach, ó cheol, damhsa, scéalaíocht, filíocht, greann agus ealaíon a léiriú agus a roinnt le chéile i bhur gcuid teangacha dúchais féin.
As Celtic Nations we draw from the same deep well of song, language and music.
This powerful source has nurtured our culture over the centuries, providing the strength to endure and to thrive. Of course, each generation finds its own medium of expression and breathes life into the culture. We see wonderful, exciting and vibrant examples of this in all six countries, from Ireland to Scotland, from Wales to Brittany and from Cornwall to the Isle of Man.
This festival captures that spirit beautifully and reminds us that our culture is not static or fixed in the past. It is a culture that is constantly in flux, shaped by the instruments we use, by our voices, by people coming together and by events – local, national or international, whether positive or negative. What brings us here is not nostalgia for what once was, but the recognition of what we have in common, and what we are cherishing and celebrating during this very special week.
Our way of seeing the world is one that values imagination, creativity, community and the deep link between people, place and language. Indeed, language gives us a powerful sense of home.
Our shared culture, however, is not, and has never been, inward-looking. It has always embraced and absorbed elements of other cultures, while retaining its essence.
That confidence and adaptability provides us with a lens through which we can imagine and shape a more equal and just world – one that celebrates diversity.
Tugann an meas agus urraim atá agaibh dá chéile agus do na cosúlachtaí agus éagsúlachtaí atá eadraibh misneach agus dóchas dúinn ar fad ag am chomh corraithe i stair na cruinne.
Is ábhar dóchais freisin an méid daoine óga atá rannpháirteach i bhféile na bliana seo agus cultúr a sinsear á cheiliúradh go bródúil agus go fonnmhar acu agus níos tábhachtaí fós á láidriú acu do ghlúnta na todhchaí.
It has been a source of great encouragement to see the renewed energy and interest in our languages in recent years. It is a heartening experience to hear Irish, Welsh, Gàidhlig, Breton, Cornish and Manx spoken side by side – each with its own rhythm, melody and poetic qualities.
This festival, over 55 years in different cities and towns, has played a very special role in providing the space for that celebration.
Níl aon dabht agam ach go mbainfidh sibh sult agus spraoi as imeachtaí uile na Féile agus go mbeidh na naisc chultúrtha agus an dlúthchaidreamh atá rí-shoiléir eadrainn ar fad ag dul i dtreise le linn na Féile agus sna blianta amach romhainn.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh ar fad.