REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A GARDEN PARTY ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN FOR MEMBERS OF THE INTL COMMUNITY
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A GARDEN PARTY ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN FOR MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FRIDAY, 14TH JULY
Is cúis mhór áthais dom fáilte a chur romhaibh go léir chuig Áras an Uachtaráin inniu.
Martin and I are delighted to welcome you to Áras an Uachtaráin on a day when we celebrate Ireland’s international community. I know that many of you have travelled a long way to be here today and indeed life has brought you to Ireland from all around the world carrying an emigrant’s heart which so often finds itself in two places at once, full of thoughts of a homeland left and full of hopes for a homeland adopted. Today though we hope you will relax and enjoy an afternoon of fun in the house which is at Ireland’s heart and where we hope you will feel welcome.
When a new family moves in next door, or down the street, it is very neighbourly to welcome them with a friendly greeting. A simple “hello” is often the beginning of a valued friendship and where friendships flourish, so too do individuals, amilies and communities. So today we say that warm hello and welcome, in a symbolic way to all our new neighbours.
In the past Irish men and women emigrated in huge numbers bringing to new homelands their ambitions and dreams and bringing too the face of their native culture and character. They enriched other nations with their genius, their commitment, their work, their music, dance, literature – their imagination. You do the same for Ireland. Irish life is enriched by the arrival of so many new voices, so many new imaginations and talents. Inward migration in significant numbers is a fairly recent development for us but we have started well and that, as the old Irish proverb says, is half the work.
Thank you all for coming here to share our home this afternoon. I hope you enjoy the chance to see the place and to meet new people and may even make new friends.
I would like to finish by thanking our wonderful entertainers who have helped make today special for all of us; the Thurles Gospel Choir and, of course, the wonderful group from Comhaltas. I thank our friends in the St John’s Ambulance Brigade, the Civil Defence, the Gardaí, the Tour Guides and a huge thank you to the staff here at the Áras who have all worked incredibly hard, with great heart, to make today a success.
Martin and I hope you have a great afternoon, and return home safely, bringing with you many fond memories of your visit to Áras an Uachtaráin.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.