ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF “THE FINGLAS YOUTH INFORMATION FAIR”
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF “THE FINGLAS YOUTH INFORMATION FAIR” ON WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL,
The “Youth Fair” is quite a novel idea and I note that it has a threefold purpose – to inform about what’s going on in Finglas – to help the various youth groups to recruit new members – and to promote information exchange between individual youth groups and between the group and the broader community in Finglas.
The unique thing about youth is that, as somebody once said, “the first twenty years are the longest half of your life”. It is a time when you experience the transition from childhood to adulthood – when you assert your independence and, to a large degree, choose your direction in life. The relationship between youth and adulthood is summed up very nicely by Bob Dylan, the inspiration to so many when I was a youth, in his song, ‘The Times They are A-Changing’,
“Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don’t criticize
What you can’t understand.
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly again’”
Mark Twain is reputed to have said “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years!” While those tumultuous years can have their ups and downs, there is no denying that it is an exciting phase in your life. As Asquith, the former British Prime Minister said “youth would be an ideal state if it came a little later in life” – by which I presume he meant that youth is more enjoyable when you’re mature enough to enjoy it!
Judging from the range of displays and participants at the Information Fair, there is no shortage of activities and interests to occupy the youth of the Finglas area – there are voluntary and sporting associations - career and educational opportunities – and support groups for the different age groups. I know that Finglas - like other areas of Dublin which have mushroomed over the last two decades - has suffered from time to time from ‘negative media attention’. But just as in other areas, the people of Finglas are addressing the problem themselves – they are taking the initiative and linking with bodies and groups that can help to address their own problems. There is a refreshing spirit of confidence about – a ‘can do’ philosophy which is empowering communities – building up pride in the individual and in the team – in the community and the nation.
That spirit of self-help and pride I achieving, is reflected in the work of the Finglas Youth Service in the programmes and schemes such as the Finglas Pony Club for young people with an interest in ponies and horses – the Drug Prevention Programme with the Eastern Health Board focusing on 5th and 6th classes in the local primary school – the Schools Industry Links Scheme to recognise the potential and achievement of young people outside the academic area – the Finglas Youth Forum which amongst its other activities is responsible for staging this fair - an occasion for the different youth groups in the area to showcase their activities and goals – to talk about their aspirations and their work.
I commend the Finglas Youth Forum on their initiative in putting on the Information Fair and I would like to pay tribute to the Finglas Youth Service, the Catholic Youth Council - who lend their very welcome support - and to the youth of Finglas for participating in this very informative and interesting event.
In declaring the Youth information Fair open, I’ll leave you with this thought from the Josh Billings, the American humorist, “In youth we run into difficulties, in old age difficulties run into us”.