Remarks at the launch of the Celebratory Programme of Events to Mark the 400th Anniversary of Carrick on Shannon
15th February 2013
Ladies and Gentlemen
Is mór an chúis áthais dom a bheith anseo inniu agus sibh ag seoladh clár ceiliúrtha Ceithre Chéad Bliain do Chora Droma Rúisc nó Carrick on Shannon mar is fearr aithne air. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le Sinéad McDermott as an gcuireadh caoin a thug sé dom a theacht anseo. Ba mhian liom buíochas a ghlacadh libhse go léir, freisin, as an bhfáilte chroíúil a chuir sibh romham, go háirithe leis an damhsa aoibhinn atá díreach feicthe againn.
[I am delighted to be here today as you launch the 400th anniversary celebratory programme of events for Cora Droma Rúisc or Carrick on Shannon as most people know it. I would like to thank Sinéad McDermott for her kind invitation to be here. I also thank all of you for that very warm welcome which included the beautiful dancing we have just witnessed.]
Carrick on Shannon is a town rich in culture and history. It is a town that is proud of its past; of a narrative that reaches back to the days when it was the stronghold of the O’Rourke’s of Breffni and the O’Raghnaills of North Roscommon. During this important year, the residents of Carrick on Shannon will be provided with many opportunities to fully acquaint themselves with that rich and varied history as they celebrate the four centuries that have passed since their town became a borough following the first parliament of King James the First.
It is a past that Carrick on Shannon quite rightly cherishes; valuing its historic buildings and landmarks, its churches and castle, its streets and landscapes, all of which tell the history of this town and are tangible manifestations of its rich heritage. But equally importantly, Carrick on Shannon is a place that constantly looks to the future, acutely aware that life is an ever changing landscape, a landscape that is rich with possibilities for the days to come. Like all the best towns, it is a place prepared to advance, to evolve and to constantly initiate exciting plans for its future while respecting all that was best about its past.
It is very encouraging to see how the past and the future have been brought together here in Carrick on Shannon by the imaginative and inspiring use of many of the historic buildings; beautiful structures which have been so efficiently utilized in the re-development of the town. The old town Jail now accommodates the offices of Leitrim County Council; the excellent Arts Centre is based in the Old Court House; and the beautiful St. Georges Church now houses the heritage centre.
Here in twenty first century Carrick on Shannon, we have a striking example of what can be achieved when we combine the richest moments from our past with the wonderful possibilities offered by the present moment; when we are capable of constantly reimagining, re-crafting and discerning new visions while retaining all that was best about our shared history. It is inspiring to see how – throughout these lovely streets – a quiet wisdom merges with a vigorous energy, creating a seamless intertwining of the past and present, each playing their part in creating a distinct place rich with unique characteristics; a town proud of its past but also sufficiently confident to engage with the complexities of modern life.
And of course, like all other Irish towns, cities, villages and suburbs, Carrick on Shannon has had to face significant complexities and challenges in recent times. Here, as in the rest of Ireland, the wounds of business closure, negative equity, pay cuts, job loss and emigration have cut deep. However, just as in every other part of Ireland I have visited since I became President, I recognise in this community the great resilience that exists across the country, the will of the citizens to move beyond a destructive resentment, fatalism or cynicism and to work together to craft a shared future based on a version of our Irishness of which we can be truly proud.
There can be no doubt that, throughout our current economic difficulties we have consistently and instinctively turned back to the qualities and values that have stood us so well throughout many turbulent periods in this country’s history, coming together as participative and dynamic communities as we work towards that better future.
As we turn to the past for guidance and inspiration, however, we must do so in a way that is clear sighted and responsible; in a way that does not uncritically worship that past as we seek to escape from the struggle and challenge of the present. Now, more than ever, we need to honestly explore and reflect on our recent history. If we are to look, harmoniously, to the future we need to fully understand when and how things worked – or didn’t work – in the past. We also need to look beyond the so-called inevitabilities of the status quo of the present and push beyond the boundaries of our own cultural comfort zones in order that our society can work better for all its communities and all its citizens, without exception. It is important that we continue to envisage Ireland as a work in progress, a country still to be fully imagined and invented; with a future that is exhilarating precisely because it is not yet fully knowable or measurable.
Agus Cora Droma Rúisc ag ceiliúradh Ceithre Chéad Bliain a bhunaithe, is léir go bhfuil an baile seo ag fás agus ag forbairt i gcónaí; áit ina bhfuil go leor saoránach atá gníomhach agus samhlaíoch agus a thuigeann an chumhacht a ghabhann leis an smaointeoireacht nuálach agus le saol níos fearr a shamhlú agus a bhaint amach.
[As Carrick on Shannon celebrates its four hundredth anniversary it is evident that this town remains a constant work in progress; a place with many imaginative and active citizens who understand the power of innovative thinking and the importance of retaining that ability to imagine and realise a better world.]
The old Irish saying ‘ní neart go cur le chéile’ tells us that our strength lies in our common wealth. The common wealth of Carrick on Shannon lies with its people, a wealth that is constantly being channelled into the creation and development of inclusive, supportive and participative communities.
Carrick on Shannon has also, of course, played its part in contributing to the rich literary heritage which is so synonymous with our country. This town was the birthplace of
M.J. McManus, the former literary editor of the Irish Press and friend to some of the greatest writers of the early twentieth century including W.B Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and John Betjeman. M.J. himself was also one of the most outstanding Irish literary and journalistic figures of that time and throughout his life retained a deep and abiding affection for this, his native town.
For so many of you here today Carrick on Shannon is also simply the place that you call ‘home’; the place where you feel comfortable in the company of family and friends; the community in which you work, socialise and engage in recreation; the townscape and beautiful topography of the Shannon with which you feel familiar and at ease. It is, in short, the centre of your life and, in the word of another renowned Irish writer John McGahern:
“the best of life is life lived quietly, where nothing happens but our calm journey through the day, where change is imperceptible and the precious life is everything”.
It gives me great pleasure to be part of that precious life for one day and to launch this year of celebration; a year which will see a full calendar of events including historical exhibitions, a Leitrim Roots festival, community games, a boat show, many song, dance and music events and much sporting activity along with many other exciting initiatives to mark this special anniversary. Speaking of sporting activities, I must congratulate Leitrim on its recent success in the Connacht FBD League; it augurs well for the Championship in the summer – so no pressure there.
Of course, 2013 is the year when here in Ireland we will see our biggest ever tourism initiative, the Gathering, come to fruition. We have been a diasporic people for a great part of our history and I know that you are inviting all Leitrim people abroad to return home during 2013 and enjoy your many events, something which will greatly add to the sense of history and community which surrounds this celebratory year in Carrick on Shannon.
I would like to conclude by congratulating you all and commend you for taking seriously your role as true citizens who each have an individual role to play in creating and nurturing a vibrant, caring and forward looking society. I know that, as part of this commemoration, you are today opening a time capsule for future citizens of Carrick on Shannon to open and learn about their past and their inheritance. I am very honoured and pleased to present you with a copy of the words I have just spoken for inclusion in that capsule.
Gabhaim buíochas ó chroí libh as cuireadh a thabhairt dom a theacht anseo agus guím gach rath oraibh le gach uile ócáid agus imeacht a bheidh ar siúl agaibh agus sibh ag ceilúradh Cora Droma Rúisc in aois a Ceithre Chéad Bliain (“Carrick-on-Shannon 400″).
[I thank you for inviting me here and I wish you the very best in each and every event that you will hold in celebrating “Carrick-on-Shannon 400”.]
Go raibh mile maith agaibh go leír.