President’s message during the Last Lights Ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin on December 31st 1999
President’s message during the Last Lights Ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin on December 31st 1999.
Céad Míle fáilte a chairde go Áras an Uachtaráin. You are all very welcome to this gathering of friends, family, neighbours and the St. Mary of the Angels Gospel Choir as we watch the sun go down on this last day of the twentieth century. In a few minutes I hope you will join us in lighting a millennium candle, our simple but symbolic way of greeting the dawn of the Third Millennium- now only a few hours away.
When the fireworks and the fun of this evening have faded we in Ireland will still have a lot to celebrate, to look forward to and to accomplish.
This generation has seen the turn of history's tide, the lifting of old, dark shadows. We have witnessed the birth of an economic miracle and the remarkable new dawn in Northern Ireland. Around the world, the global Irish family, joins us in looking at this dynamic new Ireland with pride and respect. We now have the opportunity and the means to create on this island the best, the most egalitarian society we have ever known. We have a chance to bring real hope to those still on the margins, an historic opportunity to fulfill at last the dreams of those who yearned for an Ireland where each man, woman and child mattered, where each had space and help to blossom.
Two thousand years ago the child whose birth we celebrate in this Jubilee year grew to a man renowned for the miracles he worked. In this new Millennium we will have much scope to create miracles of our own. As this last sun goes down on the Second Millennium let it take with it all the hurts of everyday life which keep us morbidly chained to the past. Let all the things, which poisoned the past, stay there so that we can face tomorrow's dawn with hope and optimism. In the unlived days ahead there are so many chances to do things differently, to do them better ,to start again. Who better to capture the millennial mood than Brendan Kennelly in his wonderful poem, "Begin".
At the lighting of the candle
I am now going to light our millennium candle and then my family and our neighbours will light their own candles, just as you will be doing in your own homes all over this island on this special evening.
President’s Final words
Finally on this historic New Years Eve, as the Irish flag is lowered for the last time this century at Áras an Uachtaráin I would like to wish each and every one of you joy, happiness, peace and prosperity in the new Millennium.
Is mór an chúis áthais dom sonas, suaimhneas, séan agus siocháin a ghuí oraibh go léir ar ócáid na Míleaoise Nua.