Address by President McAleese At the Féile na nGael Parade In Enniscorthy
Address by President McAleese At the Féile na nGael Parade In Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford On Saturday, 26 June, 1999
Ladies, Gentlemen, Girls and Boys
I was delighted to be able to accept the kind invitation to attend the annual Féile na nGael Parade here in Enniscorthy today. I would like to convey a Céad Míle Fáilte to the “Sunny South East” to everybody gathered here particularly all the boys and girls who have travelled from every county in Ireland to participate in this year’s Féile.
- It is wonderful to see so many happy young boys and girls gathered here today wearing their club colours and carrying their club flags and banners as they participate in what is arguable the high point of the weekend.
- This is the 29th occasion that the Annual Féile has been held and the 4th occasion that the county of Wexford has been its host. The Féile na nGael Festival has grown enormously since it was first held in Thurles in 1971. In that time over three quarters of a million young people have taken part in the festival. I understand that in this year alone over twenty thousand girls and boys, all under the age of 14 will have taken part.
- I am particularly happy that this is an all-island movement. Preliminary competitions are completed in each of the 32 counties in hurling, camogie and handball. I have no doubt many young Irish people owe their introduction to sport and other recreational activities to Féile na nGael. The primary objective of the Féile – facilitating and enabling the personal, social and cultural development of young people, is positive and deserves our support. It emphasises cultural and community activities, leadership and training through sport.
- Active participation in sport and physical recreation contributes enormously to the physical and mental well-being of the individual and of the community. Sport combines a healthy approach to competitiveness and the promotion of the concept of “fair play”. This combination is extraordinary and its influence plays an important role in the education of young people.
- Sport not only leaves people with wonderful and exciting memories but can also create lifelong friendships. It has a very special place in the life of all Irish people. This would not be the case were it not for the extraordinary commitment and total dedication of so many people, particularly those voluntary workers, such as An Coiste Stiúrtha Náisiúnta Féile na nGael, the governing body of the Féile, who have devoted themselves to sport, the community and young people down through the years. This should never be forgotten and on your behalf I would like to express my deepest admiration and gratitude for the vital contribution they continue to give to Irish life.
- I would like to pay tribute to the beautiful music being provided by the twenty or so bands who are with us this weekend. I particularly would like to praise the Artane Boys Band, who is leading the Parade today and thank them for all the wonderful performances they have given on All-Ireland Finals Day and on many other prestigious occasions over the years.
Finally, I would like to thank the organisers of this weekend’s Festival for their kind invitation and I wish everybody associated with the Festival, particularly the young girls and boys, an enjoyable and successful weekend and I hope that you will all leave this lovely and historic corner of Ireland with long and pleasant memories.
Thank You.