A Chairde Uaisle, is mór an onóir dom ar mo chéad Lá Fhéil’ Pádraig mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, beannachtaí ó chroí a ghuí oraibhse ar fad anseo sa bhaile agus thar lear atá ag ceiliúradh inniu.
Whether we are Irish by birth or indeed by choice, today is an occasion when Irish communities around the world celebrate their shared love of all things Irish – our culture, heritage, identity and of course our beautiful language, Gaeilge.
Is í ár dteanga a fhíonn na tréithe seo ar fad le chéile agus a shaibhríonn ár saol. Tugann an Ghaeilge tuiscint dúinn ar logainmneacha agus sloinnte ár dtíre. Cruthaíonn sí nasc dobhriste lenár sinsir. Tugann sí léargas agus tuiscint níos doimhne dúinn faoinár stair.
Is tobar saibhir í a spreagann ár gceoltóirí, filí, scríbhneoirí, aisteoirí, agus ealaíontóirí chun cruthaitheachta.
Is ábhar dóchais domsa, agus tá mé cinnte daoibhse, an méid borrtha atá faoin teanga, rud a bhí soiléir agus Seachtain na Gaeilge á ceiliúradh ar fud na tíre agus na cruinne.
It is a testament to that rich heritage and culture that Saint Patrick’s Day has become such a vibrant and inclusive global celebration.
It is embraced by an Irish global family of over 70 million people, many of whom have found new homes abroad and built communities over many years. That sense of home resonates so strongly with all of us, and yet today it is denied to so many.
As we gather together to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, it is appropriate that we recall the foundational story upon which our national day is based.
Patrick was trafficked across the Irish Sea from Britain as a young man in the 5th century only to return to Ireland as a missionary, giving voice and his life to fostering an awareness of the consequences of slavery.
The story of Patrick’s life serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage of migrants, the invaluable contributions that they have made, and continue to make, to the countries they now call home, sometimes even in the face of great adversity.
Patrick’s story speaks not only to the Ireland of the 5th century, but to the millions still subjected to trafficking, forced labour and displacement today.
As we recall the life of Patrick, we invoke his spirit and acknowledge our shared responsibilities as global citizens. We stand in solidarity with those who find themselves in vulnerable and dangerous circumstances.
Patrick’s story invites us to respond with hospitality and kindness to those suffering the consequences of war and displacement, those fleeing their countries because of persecution or violence.
The normalisation of war can never be accepted. Now, more than ever, we must renew our commitment to peace and diplomacy in line with the principles of international law as set out in the United Nations Charter.
Tá Éire, thar aon tír nó náisiún, ábalta é seo a dhéanamh.
Seasann ár dtaifead síochánaíochta, nár briseadh ó 1958 i leith, agus na blianta de thiomantas don dí-armáil mar chuntas ar an tionchar as cuimse is féidir a bheith ag stát beag neodrach, mar sinne, nuair a ghníomhaíonn muid le hionracas agus cuspóir.
As a neutral, independent country, a post-colonial society, and a people marked by famine and forced migration, we are uniquely placed to offer a valuable perspective on the challenges facing our world, not least war and displacement.
We are a people who have travelled our own path to peace in dealing with bitter conflict and its legacy.
We understand that peace is not merely the absence of war but also the presence of justice.
A chairde, wherever you are celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day, may I send you my warmest wishes for a day of festivities, and perhaps reflection too.
As we celebrate our special day, let us look to the future with hope, determination, a renewed respect for our shared humanity, and use our voice to promote justice and peace in our world.
Bainigí sult, spraoi agus tairbhe as imeachtaí an lae agus bainígí úsáid as an nGaeilge agus le chéile, déanfaidh muid cinnte go mbeidh sí mar ghnáthchuid den saol laethúil.
Beannachtaí agus Síocháin na Féile Pádraig oraibh uilig.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all of you.