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REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE LAUNCH OF THE SLIGO “ARTS FOCUS” PROJECT

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE LAUNCH OF THE SLIGO “ARTS FOCUS” PROJECT AT ST. JOSEPH’S HALL, SLIGO ON TUESDAY 26 MAY

Firstly, I’d like to say how delighted I am to have been invited to be with you today – to open the “Arts Focus” project – and particularly in this week – the days after the momentous decision by the vast majority of the people on this island – to move on to newer horizons – establish new relationships – and to work towards a new situation - where people from every culture and tradition – and every religious and political persuasion – will be able to live side by side in harmony – and with mutual respect. I am conscious too that my visit comes during the Sligo Arts Festival – a colourful celebration of the visual and performing Arts – bringing performers, exhibitors and patrons from all corners of Ireland – and from abroad.

The “Arts Focus” project is another dimension to the process of change and exploration – of building links and bridges between people and communities – in this instance bringing together young people from both parts of Ireland – from Sligo and Belfast – and from Derry and Leitrim - through the Limerick-based Irish Peace Institute and the Physically Handicapped and Able-bodied from the Shankill in Belfast. Using the medium of art – the project allows the participants to open up new avenues of discovery for themselves – to reach out in a different language – to communicate with others in the universal medium of art.

Every one of us has our limitations and constraints. For some it is the constraint of mindset and attitude – of history or culture – of family circumstances or locality - or undiscovered talent and ability. All of these factors can act as points of frustration – as straightjackets to personal development and liberation of the mind. Through your participation in the North/South Arts Project – you are facing up to your own limitations -and testing your abilities. In the process – you can move beyond your constraints – and develop your talents and skills - to open up new frontiers for your development.

I would like to congratulate all of you who are participating in this very imaginative process – where the “Rainbow Bridge” – though an imaginary concept - will utilise all of the colours and shades that you yourselves represent – and will serve as a real and very tangible structure between North and South. In the construction of the “Rainbow” – you are creating links that will endure long after today – in the contacts that you have made – and in the realisation of a “bridge” which needs all of the components or “bricks” if it is to survive.

I also want to pay tribute to the many carers and mentors involved in this project – for their imaginative concept in choosing the “Rainbow Bridge” as the theme – and the civic and religious leaders who are supporting this - and the other initiatives of the Shankill PHAB and the Irish Peace Institute. A rainbow can only endure so long as all of the constituent colours are allowed to exist side by side – where no one predominates – and where the very diversity of colour itself is what makes it so beautiful. The lesson in that concept has deep resonances for all of us – where for too long - the two great traditions and cultures on this island have been kept apart by separate memories - separate histories and separate wounds. The Good Friday Agreement gives us a solid foundation on which to build the shared memories which a healthy society needs. The “Rainbow Bridge” project that you are involved in today – together with many other projects and initiatives that you have been engaged in – are making a very valuable contribution to the process of bringing people together – and of recognising that the real beauty of any healthy society is its ability to promote and respect diversity.

As you work on this and other projects – you will continue to open up new horizons – to create new possibilities and opportunities – and to lay the foundation for a different society. I commend all of you in your work in the important task of building bridges between the people and cultures of this island – helping us move form a culture of conflict to a culture of consensus - from complaint to celebration.