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Remarks by President McAleese at the Currane Community Centre, Achill January 19th 1999

Remarks by President McAleese at the Currane Community Centre, Achill January 19th 1999

A mhuintir Acla, agus go háirithe a mhuitir an Chorráin, Bhéal Feirste agus Pholl Raithní. Tá lúcháir orm go raibh mé ábalta glacadh leis an chuireadh agus bheith libh inniu san áit álainn seo idir sliabh agus farraige. Tá mé iontach buíoch de Mháire Bean Uí Mháille as an chuireadh sin. Creidim gur as tuaisceart na tíre a tháinig bunús mhuintir an Chorráin an chéad lá, agus b’fhéidir gurb é sin an chúis go bhfuil mé chomh compórdach anseo. Tá mé i measc mo mhunitire féin.

I am particularly delighted to have had the opportunity to meet with children from Scoil Náisiúnta a’ Chorráin. Their energy and enthusiasm speaks volumes for the vitality of this community. As long as communities such as this can continue to foster their young people – and to enable them to use their God-given gifts to the full - there is be hope in abundance for the future. You are all familiar with the saying “Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí”. The importance of providing an environment in which our children are praised and encouraged in all that they do can never be underestimated – for this environment allows their talents to blossom easily and spontaneously, and the nurturing of those talents is in our care.

Recent years have seen the resurgence of huge pride in Irish culture – in our music, verse, dancing, sport and language. If these aspects of our culture are to continue to thrive for the benefit of all, we must take care to nurture their roots in communities such as An Chorráin.

I am particularly pleased to see that the Irish language is alive and well here, especially among the children in whose hands its future lies. As you may know, I am struggling to improve my own store of Irish, and I hope neither my accent nor my imperfect knowledge have baffled you.

Is achmhainn í an Ghaeilge, achmhainn atá iontach tábhachtach sa saol sóisialta, sa saol cultúrtha agus sa saol eacnamaíochta. Mar phobal beag Gaeltachta, tuigeann sibhse níos fearr ná pobal ar bith eile có chomh deacair is atá sé an teanga a choinneáil beo. Ach sin atá á dhéanamh agaibh: a bhuíochas díbhse tá an Ghaeilge beo beathach sa dúiche seo, in ainneoin gach brú. Bígí bródúil as sin. Tá mise bródúil asaibh agus molaim go mór sibh as a bhfuil ar siúl agaibh.

I would like to congratulate all those involved in both the I.T. Centre and the Display of Arts and Crafts which I have just seen. It is a powerful demonstration that the traditions of the past can co-exist and thrive alongside new technologies. Indeed, it is very tangible proof that new forms of communication can provide a lifeline, not a threat, to our living heritage. This was brought home to me very forcefully during my visit last year to Ennis, which as you are aware, was selected as a model for an “Information Age” town. One of the key benefits offered by these new technologies, is that geography should play an ever diminishing role in determining employment opportunities and services. This should mean that the prospects for communities on the Western Seaboard, such as this one, will be limited only by the power of your imagination.

Regardless of the opportunities that new technology may provide, it is the people that hold a community together. The increasing prosperity that this country has experienced in recent times carries with it the danger that some people – particularly the elderly, the sick and the disadvantaged - can be left behind. The risks of a selfish individualism always lurk, but it would run counter to everything that marks us out as a people if it were allowed to take root. It is crucial that the bonds of community and generosity of spirit that held us together when we had little, continue to be valued and supported now that we have so much more.

I am delighted to see that these qualities of sharing and caring, that sense of responsibility for each other, are alive and well in this community and particularly here in Glór na dTonn, the home of Currane Community Centre. I am aware of the excellent work done by the Currane/Belfarsad Ladies Club in the many services they provide for older people, families and children. I am especially interested in the weekly Irish dancing lessons – for reasons that would become apparent if you saw my efforts on that front! – so perhaps it’s just as well they are targeted at children.

Treaslaím libh as an méid atá bainte amach agaibh mar phobal. Sheas sibh le chéile síos tríd na blianta agus tá aiseanna breátha curtha ar fáil agaibh le freastal ar shean agus ar óg na háite. Ba chóir daoibh a bheith an-bhróidúil as an méid sin, agus tá súil agam gur ag dul I neart a bheidh sibh ins na blianta amach romhainn.