REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A GARDEN PARTY FOR REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMMUNITY GROUPS
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A GARDEN PARTY FOR REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMMUNITY GROUPS THROUGHOUT IRELAND ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN
Is cúis mhór áthais dom agus do mo fhear chéile, Máirtín, fáilte fíorchaoin a chur romhaibh go léir chuig Áras an Uachtaráin inniu.
Martin and I would like to welcome you to Áras an Uachtaráin this afternoon. A heartfelt ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ to each and every one of you.
Today we are here to celebrate the success of all the communities you represent throughout the length and breadth of Ireland, to continue the wonderful Irish neighbourliness for which we are famous, and to recognise that it is in true sharing and co-operation with one another that we are enabled to experience real freedom and peace within ourselves.
Throughout our daily lives, many of us keep to ourselves and go about our own business, often so caught up in our own family or work life that we do not make the time to get involved in what is going on around us – we leave that up to “somebody else”. For many of us, it is only when fate deals its hand, and throws us into a crisis, that we realise how ready and willing other people are to pull together to lift us out of our troubles. Such simple acts of unexpected kindness and compassion have far-reaching ripple effects, as we in turn, rush to the aid of another human being in need of our help. That is why all of you here today make a difference, a huge difference in developing a spirit of belonging, a community spirit that unites what is otherwise a world of individuals and a chance collection of people. You share your time, your skills and your enthusiasm, and most importantly your dream of a brighter and happier community for your families. Isn’t it so much more liberating to live in harmony, in an environment where people are not just anonymous strangers, but people who genuinely care about the welfare of those around them.
A major factor underpinning Ireland’s great economic and social success stems from the partnership approach - of neighbour helping neighbour, of combining ideas and of supporting communities in harnessing their strengths and talents to achieve the best for each parish around the country. We are very lucky on this island of ours to have the army of volunteers who work to improve the quality of life for neighbours, families and friends. In Ireland, more than almost anywhere else, we know the importance and the value of voluntary work. We know how it sustained us in harder times, how that spirit, of neighbour helping neighbour, helped many a family in need to keep its head above water, and how it gave people hope in the future and in each other.
All of you here today should be proud that, instead of leaving the hard work to someone else to do, you have left the armchair and the television behind and gone out to do it yourselves. At one of the many communities I have visited around the country, one comment that was made to me particularly stuck in my mind. It was that there are two types of people – drains and radiators. The ‘drains’ sit around moaning about all the things that are wrong, the radiators get out there and fix them. Thankfully, all of you are in the second category, though I imagine you may know a few people who are in the first! I congratulate all of you on your contribution to today’s Ireland. Long may you continue your invaluable work.
But today is a time for your to relax for a while. For your enjoyment this afternoon, we had Diana Marshall playing the harp as you arrived; the Tobar Ceoil Trio and Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Eireann; and the very eloquent Paul Kennedy as our MC this afternoon. I would also like to thank our friends from Civil Defence and the staff here at the Áras who have spent many long hours and days preparing for today.
Please take the opportunity to stroll through the formal rooms in the House. Most of all I hope you enjoy each other’s company and leave with some fond memories of your visit to the Áras.
Go maire sibh. Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.