Media Library

Speeches

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT A RECEPTION FOR CHILDREN AT ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT A RECEPTION FOR CHILDREN AT ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN ON MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 1998

Firstly I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to you at this Christmas time - and I hope over the next hour or so to get a chance to meet each of you individually. I should also mention that we are privileged today to have with us the Hallelujah Choir and Remix – both of whom have kindly agreed to entertain us - and, of course, Stephen Holland who has agreed to be our MC for today.

I am very grateful to every one of you who have come here today to bring us some cheer and friendliness at a time of year when everybody – families, friends and extended families – get together and celebrate one of the greatest festivals in the Christian calendar – the birth of Christ – the prince of peace. You have your own families and friends with which you will be sharing your Christmas - and, as President, I think of you as part of the extended Irish family, not just in Ireland, but in the many parts of the world where Irish people have gone and set up homes over several centuries – and who are in our minds at this festive time.

Christmas is also, of course, a time when peace is very much on our minds – and especially this year with the major developments in Northern Ireland, when so many people showed that they wanted to live in peace and harmony with their neighbours on this island and between these islands. That the strong voice for peace has eventually rung through is something that we can celebrate together – it is an occasion of joy and hope for all of us on this island.

In bringing your messages of peace with you today you are telling us what is in your heart – what is in our hearts. We all want to be friends with all the people with whom we share this piece of God’s earth – this small island of Ireland. All of us know that there may be difficult times ahead – that there will be many obstacles to overcome. We need courage to say we are sorry to one another, to ask for forgiveness, and to make friends and work together. You are people of courage.

Each of you here today have your own personal burden to bear. Your spirit of hope is an inspiration to all of us. You have a special insight into the value of life; of the great gift that life is; and of the futility of inflicting unnecessary suffering and harm on others. The messages that you have brought with you have an equally special significance for everybody in Ireland because of the unique insight that you have. I want to thank you for taking the time to give us the benefit of your wisdom - and to say how happy and eager I am that we should put them on the Áras Christmas Tree – the special place where all our gifts are traditionally left for those whom we love and hold dear. Your messages will take pride of place on our tree over Christmas – so that all of our visitors will have an opportunity to read them.

I would like to thank all of you again for joining us in the Áras – and I would like to wish you a peaceful and happy Christmas wherever you may be over the Christmas period. I hope that 1999 brings you good fortune and happiness and I would like to assure you that you are always in our thoughts and prayers.