REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION IN ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN ON TUESDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER, 1999
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION IN ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN ON TUESDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER, 1999
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen. I would like to say a “Céad Míle Fáilte” to each and every one of you who have come to visit me here at Áras an Uachtaráin – this wonderful house steeped in history and tradition. I know that for me, the house is a symbol of the history of this island – and its relationships with our neighbour, Britain. It tells its own fascinating story – a story that spans several centuries – and which is preserved to this day in its art and architecture. It is not just a home – it is a place for all traditions and cultures on this island to share. Today I am delighted to share it with you.
I am glad to see that just about all counties are represented here today – from Cork to Galway – Westmeath to Wexford. Many of you have travelled long distances to come here and I hope that you will enjoy the afternoon and that you will leave with fond memories having made new and long-lasting friendships.
I have just returned from an official visit to the USA, to Los Angeles and San Francisco. It was a wonderful experience – I have not been in that part of America since I was a student and worked there. As well as the many Irish people living in that part of America that I met – members of our Global family, I also met many others interested to know about the Ireland of today – about who we are – what we are and what changes we are experiencing now that peace has come to our land. It was with a great sense of pride that I told how the visitor would find warmth, friendship and welcome here – would find beautiful unspoilt landscapes of amazing diversity for such a small country. I told of how Ireland is increasingly at ease with itself, culturally, self-confident and bursting with creativity – a land enjoying unprecedented economic success and prosperity – an island that is beginning to feel the real benefits of the Good Friday Agreement where all our people can expect to enjoy a lasting peace based on mutual respect and understanding.
We have travelled a long road to establish this peace – we still have a way to go.
But as we prepare for and look forward to the new Millennium it is with hope and excitement that we should greet it. As we reflect on what has been – on what we have achieved so too should we look forward to the future - to the Ireland of the next Millennium – the Ireland that our children will inherit. However it is shaped, it is our children who will live with our successes and also with our failures. I recall a saying worth reflecting on - “we do not inherit the World from our ancestors; rather we borrow it from our children”. We must all endeavour to ensure that the Ireland we borrow from our children is returned in the best of health – at peace - with a pride in, and deep sense of the traditions and values that make us unique.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.