REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT COMMUNITY GARDEN PARTY, ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN THURSDAY 2ND JULY, 2009
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT COMMUNITY GARDEN PARTY, ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN THURSDAY 2ND JULY, 2009
Dia dhíbh go léir, agus céad míle fáilte chuig Áras an Uachtaráin inniu.
Good afternoon to you all and a big welcome to Áras an Uachtaráin.
Isn’t it warm today, pity about the rain! We’ve had a pretty good run of fine weather so far this summer, although admittedly last year and the one before didn’t set the bar too high! As usual in our Irish summers it is a brave act of faith to attempt to plan ahead for any outdoor event, but I hope that even with today’s inclement weather you will enjoy your visit to Áras an Uachtaráin, as I will enjoy your company.
It is a real pleasure for me to be able to welcome so many people from every corner of this island to what I am sure will be an afternoon of fun and friendship. We have a fantastic gathering of people here with us today, a truly representative selection of Irish community life. Many of you are involved day to day with community organisations, and all of you, in some way, have devoted part of your lives to improving the wellbeing of your friends, family and neighbours through your active, caring citizenship.
You are the sort of people who see things that need to be done and do them, you see where gaps exist, where needs exist, where improvements are possible and you set about filling the gaps, meeting the needs and planning and implementing positive change in your communities. You are citizens who do not just wait for someone else to take the lead or passively sit by and wait for things to happen by themselves, you get out into your local communities and help out, not because it’s your job but because you care and because you know you can translate that caring into effective, positive action.
Through your actions you have brought your communities closer together and in doing so you have helped turn strangers into good and caring neighbours. Through your dedicated commitment you have immeasurably strengthened the bonds of friendship, camaraderie and solidarity that bind us together as a society; without you we would remain isolated strangers instead of caring communities.
You remind us that we all need to look out for each other, especially in these tougher times, when so many are experiencing difficulties in their lives and whose struggles can often seem overwhelming. This is a time that we can demonstrate our strength as a society and it is a time when communities can rally round and lend the steadying hand of experience and wisdom and support especially to our younger people, many of whom have never known anything but prosperity and progress.
So, today is a day when I have the opportunity to say thank-you for all that you have done, for all the time and effort and care you put into everything you do. This is a special day for you and I hope that you will enjoy your afternoon here at Áras an Uachtaráin and take this well earned opportunity to relax, unwind and let others look after you for a change!
Enjoy the chance to see the house, enjoy each others company, enjoy the craic, the cuisine and the ceoil, please make yourselves at home. I hope you'll enjoy getting to know one another - you all share so much in common.
On your behalf and on that of Martin and myself, thank you to the wonderful Áras staff, the entertainers, Civil Defence, the Gardaí, the Tour Guides and everybody who has helped to make the day very special. But most of all, thanks to you for being with us.
Have a great afternoon, and return home safely.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir.