REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE DEDICATION OF A MEMORIAL AND LAUNCH OF ANTHOLOGY, MONAGHAN
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE DEDICATION OF A MEMORIAL AND LAUNCH OF ANTHOLOGY, MONAGHAN TOWN, SUNDAY, 16TH MAY 2004
Dia dhíbh inniu.
I would like to thank Monaghan Town Council and in particular the Members of the Project Committee for inviting me to be part of today’s commemoration.
The evening of the 17th of May 1974 was one of the darkest days in the history of this island. Thirty-three Irish citizens, including a pregnant woman, lost their lives in unconscionable, devastating acts of violence in Monaghan and Dublin, with many, many more injured. The community here in Monaghan faced the stupid, wasteful, callous loss of seven lives. There was considerable physical damage done to scores of family businesses and homes, things devastating in themselves but which could be repaired with time and effort. But the loss of life and the injuries, the loss of innocence and peace of mind, these left indelible scars on the bereaved, the broken-hearted, the friends, the families and on the community. The town’s collective memory became a memory of unbearable grief and unanswered questions. It has taken courage to face that memory each day since.
On the eve of the thirtieth anniversary I am deeply moved to be here in Monaghan to pause, remember and pray for all those whom that memory embraces; those who died, those who loved them and who were left to live with enormous gaps in their lives, those who were injured physically and emotionally, those who did their best to help, those who keep on doing their best to rebuild broken dreams and lives, those who remember and whose righteous indignation insists that the story be told and that memory vindicated by building peace and pursuing truth.
Four years ago, Monaghan Town Council, set out to engage in a meaningful and open process to commission and deliver public art, which would acknowledge the loss and suffering experienced here in a fitting way. Today we witness the fruits of that endeavour and are conscious of the debt of gratitude we owe to the Project Committee and the Town Council itself for their whole-hearted, unstinting and generous support for this project.
These works are the fruits of an inclusive partnership, with representatives of the victims and their families, members of the local community, the local authorities, artists, and writers all coming together to produce an enduring, respectful tribute to the victims of the bombing.
Ciarán O’Cearnaigh’s memorial reminds us of our remarkable capacity as human beings to pick ourselves up even in the face of acts of inhumanity and to help each other rebuild a shattered community. There is a sacred defiance in the spirit of hope that shines out of the lights of this memorial. It is both a focal point for prayerful remembrance and a beacon guiding us, challenging us to do all we can to eliminate, in our own spheres of influence, the causes of hatred and division which put murderous intent into heads and hearts.
There are many ways of remembering and we are a nation of storytellers. ‘Later On’ - the anthology I have been asked to launch today is a powerful telling of individual stories about the events of 17 May 1974 and their aftermath. Each unique and personal insights, some shocking, some painful, allows us to renew our pity and compassion, deepen our understanding, offer anew our respect and admiration and recommit to ensuring there will be no more such days, no more such stories.
As a county-woman herself, Evelyn Conlon was an inspired choice to edit the work and she has shown immense skill and understanding for the people and places of Monaghan. With both the public memorial and the anthology, we have lasting, accessible, essential points of contact with Monaghan’s memory of a day in May 1974 when a cloud of evil brought unbearable grief. These memorials are a powerful statement of intent that such evil will never triumph. We hope and pray its day is done. Today we renew our determination to vindicate the memory of the dead and the misery of the hurt and bereaved by nurturing this hard earned peace and watching it grow strong. Please God the children of Monaghan, of Dublin and of Ireland will know better times, more tolerant times, more respectful times – indeed blessed times.
Go raibh maith agaibh.