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REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE RECEPTION FOR THE TOUR DE FRANCE

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE RECEPTION FOR THE TOUR DE FRANCE AT ÁRAS AND UACHTARÁIN ON FRIDAY 10 JULY, 1998

I would like to formally welcome each of you to Áras an Uachtaráin – and to Ireland – on this very historic occasion – the first ever start of the Tour de France on this island. The Tour de France is a great French institution – it is by far the most prestigious sporting occasion of the year – and it is our privilege to have the honour of hosting the opening stages of this unique event.

For us it is a new departure – a new direction in the links between Ireland and mainland Europe – and especially our historic connections with France. It is timely too in this year in which we celebrate a very old connection with France – the bicentennial of the 1798 Rebellion – an event which drew its inspiration very much from the revolutionary spirit of the events in France in 1789 – and in which France played a significant role through its encouragement and support for the leaders of that Rebellion.

Today, Ireland can commemorate its history – and can appreciate and celebrate the legacy of the fortunes and misfortunes that time has visited on us – and which are echoed today in the cultures and traditions of this country. Our closer ties with Europe that have been reinforced through our membership of the European Union – have their roots in an age when Ireland was a haven of scholarship and learning – and when many left our shores to spread their Christian faith. Those ancient links are reflected today in many of the towns and villages of mainland Europe – places which carry the distant memories of those travellers in their lore and legend.

As the Tour de France commences in Dublin – then weaves its way through the towns and villages of Ireland - and proceeds on to conclude in Paris over the coming weeks – it is like a thread that draws us ever closer – tracing the steps of earlier generations – and bringing our relationship to a new and exciting plane.

But the Tour de France is more that a French institution – it is now a truly international occasion – with cyclists from many parts of the world coming together to face the greatest challenge in their sport. I would like to salute the representatives of those countries here this evening – to acknowledge their country’s participation in the race of all races – and to wish them well in the gruelling days and weeks ahead.

It is a particular pleasure for me to welcome the Director of the Tour de France – Jean Marie Leblanc – and to pay tribute to him – and through him – to the many people who have been working tirelessly over the last several months – for bringing the Tour de France to Ireland. It is an honour for us to host your organisation this year – and we hope that it is a relationship that will blossom and grow in the years ahead.

I know that an event of such magnitude could not be staged without a great deal of support from many organisations. I want to recognise the representatives of the organisations who have contributed to making the event a success – and to thank them for their support. To the team representatives – I would like to extend my warm wishes for a successful race – and the hope that your teams will come through with honours.

This is an exciting time for us in Ireland – and one which we will cherish for many years to come. It is appropriate that I should give a suitable Irish blessing for such an occasion as this – and one that readily comes to mind is “go n-éirí and bothar libh!” – may the road rise with you.

Bonne route et bonne chance.