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REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE DOUGLAS HYDE INTERPRETIVE CENTRE

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE DOUGLAS HYDE INTERPRETIVE CENTRE FRENCHPARK CO. ROSCOMMON ON FRIDAY 17 JULY, 1998

It is indeed an honour for me to visit to Douglas Hyde interpretive Centre in this, the sixtieth Anniversary year, of his inauguration as the first President of Ireland – and in my first year as President of Ireland. I am very grateful to Derry O’Donnell, Roscommon County Secretary, for inviting me to view the centre – and to be associated with the tribute to Douglas Hyde.

My being here in a way re-establishes the link between Portahard and Áras an Uachtaráin – just as my election as President is a renewal of the connection between County Roscommon and the Áras – because of my own family connections with Croghan – where I have a home – and where I spent every Summer since childhood. That “presidential strain” makes County Roscommon quite unique.

As part of our own commemoration of Douglas Hyde’s 60th Anniversary at the Áras, we have put on a display of photographic material covering Hyde’s life – his connection with the Gaelic League – his literary work – and his role as President. I would like to express my deep appreciation to Roscommon County Council and the Interpretive Centre for their co-operation in giving us the material. I know that the link up with the Centre allowed us in turn to help in giving material on the Presidents to the Centre – and I can say that we were very happy to be in a position to work in partnership with you in this way – in commemorating a truly great Irishman.

Hyde was clearly a man of great learning and many accomplishments. Through his involvement with the Gaelic League, he was the inspiration behind the tremendous revival of Gaelic identity and culture that was a feature of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries – and which spawned an awakening of national spirit that had been suppressed and relatively dormant for the best part of two centuries. I would sincerely hope that, in my term as President - I can continue his critical work of valuing our heritage – and promoting an atmosphere where the different cultures and traditions on this island can be sure of respect – and recognition – where diversity is seen as an enriching thing, to be prized and not feared.

The interpretive Centre here at Portahard is as much a place for the people of Frenchpark as it is for all people from Ireland and abroad who have an interest in Douglas Hyde – his contribution to Ireland – and his role both before and during his term as President. It is to the credit of the County Council that you have a Centre like this – and I would like to take this opportunity to commend them on all that they have done with the Centre. For my part, I have been happy to lend what support I could – and to enter into a partnership which has benefited both yourselves and ourselves, and which has told the story of a great man, the first President of our country – a country whose modern day success he would take a rapturous pride in. Todays economical and cultural renaissance has its roots in his example - his commitment and his life. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.