Remarks by President McAleese at a Garden Party to Celebrate Community
Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin, Thursday, 7th July, 2011
Dia dhíbh a chairde, Martin and I would like to thank you all for coming to the Aras today - cead míle fáilte go gach duine atá anseo.
You’re all especially welcome because today’s garden party is about honouring the people who generate Ireland’s famous community spirit. Whether you are here as part of a network, club, society, or an informal group or family each one of you is entitled to our thanks for all the ways in which you take responsibility for making sure that we do not live anonymously as strangers among uncaring strangers but instead we live as friends and neighbours who are linked by bonds of common humanity and solidarity. In community we depend on one another. We work together so that no-one shoulders heavy burdens alone. We do things and achieve things that need the heft that comes from joint effort.
We need to be and to feel part of a community whether times are good or bad economically for the truth is that even in times that are good generally, there are illnesses and accidents, there are strains and weaknesses, there are needs for joy, for fun for recreation, for investment and for company. And when things are not good economically we need community and lean on community all the more.
Communities do not appear or grow by accident. No government can create them. We have to do that ourselves. Community is about connecting to one another- the handshake, the committee, the fundraising, the offer of help, the supporting local community initiatives. Community happens when two or more neighbours get together and set themselves an agenda to do something to improve or enhance life for themselves and their neighbours. How many community initiatives started around kitchen tables with people sharing ideas for the kind of community they would like to have? How many start with no money, just a great idea that only begins to get momentum because people decide to make it happen?
Community builders are our nation’s problem-solvers. They see things that need to be done and instead of waiting for someone else to do it, they get organised and no matter how long the journey they step up and crew the ship. It has been one of the real privileges of my time as President to meet so many people like you and to see at first hand the wonderful work you do. That wonderful work is only possible because you do it and there is no way we could hope to quantify its benefits but I know there are countless hearts that are happier and lighter because of what you do.
So whether you do big things or small things, they all build up this great Irish community spirit and I thank you for planting such great gifts of kindness, generosity and genuine concern for others. In a world grown cold with selfishness and the disastrous effects of selfishness, you keep the fires of friendship and community radiant and welcoming.
On your behalf I thank all those who have worked so hard and are working so hard on behalf of the Áras to make this day special for you. I want to thank Mary Kennedy for being a wonderful MC and the Celtic Choristers, the St John’s Choir, Ciorras and the marvellous Red Hurley for providing such beautiful music, song and entertainment this afternoon. I am looking forward to hearing from all of them and I am so grateful for the way they have come here to celebrate and thank each one of you.
I know many of you are here with groups of familiar friends but please take the opportunity to get to know the people around you - you know better than anybody the only way to create a community out of a bunch of strangers is to say hello to a newcomer, and perhaps find a new friend.
Thank you all once again for coming here today. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.