ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MOUNT MERRION COMMUNITY CENTRE, DUBLIN
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MOUNT MERRION COMMUNITY CENTRE, DUBLIN FRIDAY, 16TH MARCH, 2003
Is cúis mhór áthas dom bheith anseo libh inniú ag an ocáid spesialta seo. Tá mé buíoch díbh as an gcuireadh agus an fáilte fíorchaoin a chur sibh romham.
It is a great pleasure to join this historic parish celebration when an old building with its own great story and memories takes on a new look and a new future thanks to a caring, committed and determined community. I am indebted to Paddy Donoghue for inviting me to perform the official opening of Mount Merrion Community Centre. This is a day for remembering debts of gratitude.
When we talk of Mount Merrion House we often associate it with Titania’s Palace famously built by Neville Wilkinson for his daughter Guendolen. That act of fatherly love and generosity is more than matched by the many acts of generosity which transformed this building into a gift at the heart of the Mount Merrion Community. For years it has been an important focal point for the kind of activity that builds up community solidarity, strength and resilience. It has given individuals access to the strength, support and opportunity that pooled talents and resources can provide. It has given them a powerful symbol that their lives matter. Now the old Irish saying ‘Ní Neart go cur le cheile’, is showcased at its best in the new community centre with its focus on the future and its determination to put the very best facilities at the service of the community. This Centre is quite literally a concrete example of what can happen when a community is highly motivated and unafraid of the sheer hard work it takes to make a place like this move from the drawing board to reality. There have been days of planning, cajoling, doubting, arguing, fundraising, panicking and finally proving it was all worth it. Some people have played leading roles and others supporting roles. Each of them was an essential part of the jigsaw puzzle of effort that created the Centre and today everyone is entitled to take righteous pride in being part of this project. It would be easy to take these things for granted. Healthy, vibrant communities do not happen by accident. They happen because people commit to them. They join committees, they fundraise, they organise, they see problems and they find solutions, they see opportunities and they use them. Mount Merrion is very fortunate to have a team of community builders, people that are prepared to row in, give their time, talent, money, support, for an end result which is not selfish, but which is for the good of all. I am reminded of a comment made by Tim Pat Coogan in his biography of Michael Collins. He wrote that when Collins started a new project ‘he started with the impossible and worked up’. I suspect that this philosophy is close to the heart of the people of Mount Merrion. You didn’t look for tasks equal to your powers. Rather you looked for powers equal to your tasks. Clearly, you have those powers with some to spare.
Wednesday I attended the 1916 Commemoration Ceremony at Arbour Hill and it reminded me of the sermon delivered by Bishop Martin Drennan at last year’s ceremony. He referred to an old proverb which said that “Those who drink the water should remember with gratitude those who dug the well”- and is fitting for today’s occasion. For many years to come, members of this community will reap the rewards of your hard work and drive to create a valuable resource for everyone in this area.
Fr. McManus has spoken of the “The challenge to bring life and vitality to your beautiful new building”. The “can do” spirit which created the building will undoubtedly fill it quickly with new stories, new memories, fresh opportunities, layering up the community pride and civic spirit which in turn makes our country strong and healthy.
I thank each of you for allowing me to be part of this special day and I wish you every success in the future.
Is iontach an obair atá ag siúl agaibh agus guím Dé air sa todhchaí. Go raibh maith agaibh.