REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF SUMMER PROJECTS 1998
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF SUMMER PROJECTS 1998 ON MONDAY 29 JUNE, 1998
Firstly I’d like to thank you Lord Mayor for your warm words of welcome this evening – an evening which is really a celebration of summer in Dublin. It’s a sure sign that summer has finally come when you hear that the Summer Projects are starting. And God knows there hasn’t been many other signs of the summer of 1998 so far. But come rain or hail – the Summer Projects that take place each year in Dublin bring a lot of sunshine – plenty of fun and happiness - to the lives of children in the many communities and districts that take part. So by that definition alone, it is a privilege and a tremendous pleasure for me to be with you this evening to let the sun shine in – to draw back the curtains and let the show start. We’ve already been entertained by the Army No. 1 Band – and I would like to pay tribute to them for brining so much colour and entertainment to the proceedings this evening – and for giving the Summer a suitable boost. Indeed this is a special year for the band – as they celebrate their 75th anniversary – and 75 years of bring joy and happiness to so many people. I only hope that their music will keep away the clouds and the rain so that we can all settle down to a really good break.
I’d particularly like to thank John Fitzgerald, Dublin’s hard-working City Manager for giving me this honour this evening – and for letting me play a part in the life and lives of the communities that make up this lovely capital city. Of course, there is a special relationship between Dublin and the President – because according to the constitution, the President must live in Dublin. Admittedly its in a fine house with a huge garden – but the Phoenix Park makes Dublin unique as being the only capital city with a park like it – with wild life – a zoo – an ancient castle – and many more wonders – and so close to the city centre.
But that relationship gives me a special interest in Dublin and its many people. And at this time of the year – with Summer holidays coming into full swing – with thousands of young people mad keen to put away the books for a couple of months - to forget about school and get rid of all that excess energy – the Summer Projects that will be taking place over the coming weeks will make the streets and estates literally buzz with activity and excitement.
What started as a small project twenty five years ago – with 200 hundred children from the Liberties area taking part in the first ever Summer Project in Dublin – the programme now caters for 130 projects - and an unbelievable 40,000 children in the Greater Dublin area. That growth from small beginnings to what it is today is staggering. But it could not have been possible without the help of the Catholic Youth Council – who organise training for leaders – and who oversee a whole year of preparations - each year – for the many projects that take place. I would like to commend the fantastic work of the Catholic Youth Council in helping to make the projects such a tremendous success. I would also like to pay an enormous and well-deserved tribute to Dublin Corporation for their assistance in the form of funding to the Catholic Youth Council for the Projects. Without that funding it would not be possible to have the Summer Projects. In a way, the ability of the Corporation to put so much into the programme can be put down to the ‘celtic tiger’ that has brought so much prosperity to Ireland in the last number of years. They are channelling some of that prosperity to the children of the communities of Dublin.
For each of the projects that are organised, there is another very important group of people involved. These are the parents and other adults who volunteer their time and services to prepare the detailed plans – to make all the arrangements – and make sure that all the facilities are in place – so that the children can get the most out of their projects. I want to pay a particular tribute to the many volunteers who put in hours of hard work – and who make these ‘partnerships’ between the Corporation, the Catholic Youth Council and the local communities actually work. Without their dedication and commitment the projects would not be possible.
The Summer Projects are really all about the children themselves. By allowing them to mix with other children – to take part in sports competitions – arts and crafts – on outings to local amenities – in drama and talent competitions – you are opening new doors and windows for the development of young minds – you are giving children the chance to discover and realise their own talents and skills – and enriching their lives in the process. Children are the most important section of the community – because they are the future. By giving them the outlets for their imagination – their talents and skills – you are giving them the foundation to move on to greater things in later years. You are giving them a healthy and caring environment which creates the conditions for their proper development. The Summer Projects are a series of partnerships that really work. Their success is evident in the sheer scale of the programme today. In launching the programme – I want to wish everybody associated with it congratulations on bringing it to where it is today. I hope it will be an enjoyable experience for the many children who will take part this year – and I wish Dublin Corporation and the Catholic Youth Council continued success with their support for many years to come.
ENDS