Address by President Michael D. Higgins at a Christmas Reception
Áras an Uachtaráin, 14 December 2024
A Dhaoine Uaisle,
A Cháirde Gael,
Agus ach go háirithe, a bpáistí,
Thar ceann Sabina agus thar mo cheann féin cuirim fáilte ó chroí romhaibh anseo inniu agus muid ag cur tús le ceiliúradh na Nollag 2024 in Áras an Uachtaráin.
On behalf of Sabina and myself, I am so pleased to welcome you all here to Áras an Uachtaráin today.
Sabina and I have had the pleasure of hosting Christmas celebrations here in the Áras for the past 13 years. We are so grateful to all those who make these occasions possible.
May I thank each and every member of the Áras staff who have worked so hard to decorate the house so beautifully and to provide the fare that has been prepared for you.
May I thank our friends and colleagues in OPW who did such an excellent job of decorating our beautiful Christmas tree outside; it is truly a wonderful sight to behold. May I further recognise the fabulous floral work of Laura Donegan and Helen Doolin.
Thank you to our first-aiders from the Civil Defence and, of course, our talented entertainers, the MC Niall de Búrca, magician Jack White, our choirs Music Generation Wexford Yellow Bellows and Sillybilly Balloon Modellers.
Is ócáid speisialta do pháistí an Nollaig. May I extend a very special welcome to all the children who join us today. Your presence reminds us of the wonder and magic of this time of year. Probably nobody looks forward to Christmas as much as children, and I can only imagine the excitement that you all feel as you eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus and all the festive things you do with your family at this time of year.
Christmas is a time that is associated with joy, anticipation, and wonder, to reflect on our year and look forward to a new year with a sense of hope and possibility.
It is a time to celebrate togetherness, offering to us an opportunity to gather with loved ones, and to realize how fortunate we are to be surrounded by those who love and care for us.
For some, Christmas may also be a sad time.
Many of you may be remembering loved ones who are no longer with us but who remain deeply etched into our Christmas celebrations and traditions and will be recalled in memory. We hold their memories close to our hearts and remember their love and kindness.
Christmas is a time, too, to think of others and their circumstances, of those facing immense challenges, many inflicted upon them, a time when we are invited to remember our shared humanity, in terms of its challenges, possibilities, and responsibilities.
This afternoon, as we look out at the lights on the Christmas Tree, we are gathering in hope that there will be light emerging from a darkness that has become ever more challenging. A sense of sharing life itself in all its circumstance, in celebrating our shared humanity, has to become a project for all of us.
In our Christmas cards each year, we emphasise the importance of peace.
In every international document that means something in international law, it begins with peace, including the founding first paragraph of the United Nations Charter.
The value of life and of our civilisation is debased when people make comparisons solely on military strength and when diplomacy is regarded as something that is a lesser option to the production of ever-more deadly instruments of war.
Earlier this week, the Secretary General of NATO stated that Europe needs to develop a mind of war and further stated that increased defence spending should be achieved by sacrificing essentials in social protection and health. That is an appalling suggestion, mindful of the urgent and critical needs around food security.
The recent Global Report on Food Crises highlights that dangerous levels of acute hunger affected 282 million people across the world last year, up from 193 million in 2021– the sixth year in a row that food insecurity has worsened. At the same time, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has reported that world military expenditure increased for the ninth consecutive year in 2023 to a figure of $2,443 billion, an annual increase of 6.8 percent and the highest level the Institute has ever recorded.
The UNESCO constitution states that peace begins in the minds of men. Rather than a concerted effort to build a mind of war, what is needed is the building of a mind of peace.
Our hearts go out to children all over the world, wherever they may be, particularly those who are victims of the many horrific scenes of war and conflict in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and so many places across the world that have been darkened by the taking of so many lives. We think of all those who have lost parents and those who are continually on the move.
We think too of those living in hunger and poverty around our world for whom Christmas may mean little more than survival.
Closer to home, we think of all those who are finding this Christmas difficult. Our thoughts are with those who feel the weight of loneliness, grief, or uncertainty. We think of those marginalized or facing adversity. Our hearts go out to the homeless, those struggling to keep a roof over their heads, and those facing illness or other difficulties. We think of all the children who are spending this Christmas in hospital too.
We also think of the people who cannot be physically present to celebrate Christmas with their families this year.
We send a special message to the many members, and their families, of our Defence Forces who are serving abroad at this time of year. In building peace and offering aid in places where it is most needed, they represent the very best of our sense of our values of Irishness, and we are so proud and grateful for their efforts.
We remember all the people who will be working tirelessly to ensure our safety and wellbeing during the festive season, making it possible for us all to celebrate, including the Gardaí and all the emergency services, and the medical staff in hospitals, all across the country, including the many medical staff whose families are abroad.
Let us also take a moment to honour and think of our emigrants, who may be far from us physically but remain close in spirit, close to our hearts.
Let us warmly welcome members of our new Irish communities, those who have come to Ireland in recent times to make a new home here and who will be creating their own cherished traditions and adding them to our traditions here in Ireland, bringing their own special memories to our Christmas celebrations, of what this time of the year means to them.
Mar fhocal scoir, once again may I thank all those who have worked so hard to make today’s event possible – it is so deeply appreciated.
Finally, may I thank you all for coming here and joining with Sabina and myself this afternoon.
Ba mhaith liom Nollaig shona, síochánta agus sábh oraibh go léir. Agus do na páistí anseo uilig, tá súil agam go mbeidh lúcháir agus áthas ag Daidí na Nollag díobh, agus go mairfidh an Nollaig seo in bhur gcuimhne sna blianta romhainn.
Sabina and I wish each and every one of you a Christmas filled with joy, peace, and togetherness. And to all the children here today, I hope that Santa will bring smiles and joy all around, and that today will become a joyful Christmas memory for you all in years to come.
Nollaig faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise daoibh go léir. Beir gach beannacht do’n todhchaí.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.
ENDS