REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF LIXNAW BRANCH OF COMHALTAS
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF LIXNAW BRANCH OF COMHALTAS CEOLTOIRÍ ÉIREANN
Tá an-áthas orm bheith i Leic Snámha tráthnóna chun a bheith páirteach i gceiliúradh daichead (40) bliain de Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann i Leic Snámha, agus chun na seomraí nua atá curtha leis an gCeolann a oscailt go hoifigiúil.
Tuigim nach raibh aon Uachtarán na hÉireann eile i Leic Snámha go dtí seo, agus cuireann sé sin ionadh orm mar tá an sráidbhaile agus an paróiste go háileann, agus lán de seanchas agus cultúr an cheoil, an rince agus amhránaíochta.
Ba chóir do chraobh Leic Snámha de Chomhaltas Ceoiltóirí Éireann a bheith bródúil as an méid atá bainte amach agaibh le daichead bliain anuas chun an cultúr ghaelach a chur chun cinn sa cheanntar. Tuigim go bhfuil ár mbuíochas go léir tuillte d’fhear amháin, nach bhfuil linn anois, sé sin Diarmuid Ó Catháin, iar-Uachtarán Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuair Diarmuid bás trí bliana ó shin ach tá a bhean chéile, Phil, linn inniu.
It is recorded, during the early 1700’s that Anne Petty, the only daughter of Sir William Petty and wife of Thomas Fitzmaurice, 21st Lord of Kerry, once remarked that:
“there are two places in the realm worth living in, London and Lixnaw”
We might take issue over London, but I have no argument with her about Lixnaw. With its legendary reputation on the hurling pitch and for music, it is today even more worth living in.
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann nationally will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary in 2001, but not too many branches can say that they have given 40 continuous years of dedicated service to the promotion of Irish traditional music, song, dance and the Irish language.
Over the past 40 years Comhaltas in Lixnaw has brought out the best in the community, it has linked the young people with those who are not so young, and has created great community spirit in the parish. It has brought the gift of music into the heart of the people and ensured that a new generation will take ownership of that gift in turn. You should be very proud here in Lixnaw of having achieved this distinction.
On occasions like this we recall the great people in the branch who have given so many years of dedicated service to Comhaltas here in Lixnaw. A warm thank you is owed to all of them – to those here today and to others who are no longer with us. But one name stands above all the rest, and all of you here in Lixnaw know to whom I am referring – Diarmuid Ó Catháin, who passed away three years ago, and after whom this fine cultural centre is named out of respect and gratitude.
It is only right and fitting that Comhaltas in Lixnaw should be the proud owners of this wonderful cultural centre which has served the community so well since it was opened in 1985. Many a memory of a great day or night of craic shared between one and all, was created in this place and there will be many more such marvellous days to come. Here our heritage in language, music, song and dance, is showcased with deep pride and conviction. A love of that heritage is fostered gently by example. This is where you will find Ireland at its best, its values, its virtues, its past and its future. Those things are not in the bricks and mortar but in the hearts and hands of the people who bring such a unique life to this building and will do the same to this extension.
I would like to pay tribute to FÁS and Tuatha Chiarraí for supporting the project, all of the Committee members for their tremendous commitment and hard work, and most of all, the people of the parish for contributing so generously. This is a place of strong community pride which has always been able to pull people together in good times and in bad. That ethos will be of great advantage to the people of Lixnaw in these times of great change and great opportunity for our country.
May our shared Irish heritage flourish here in these new premises. May the hurling team know another great year again this year and may you all enjoy these lovely premises and especially the new extension which it gives me great pleasure to officially open.
Thank you once again to your Chairman, Pat Dennehy and all of the Committee for inviting me here and to all of you for your very warm welcome. May your next 40 years be just as successful. Go maire sibh. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.