REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF A MOSAIC PIECE FOR DRAÍOCHT
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF A MOSAIC PIECE FOR DRAÍOCHT FRIDAY 22 MARCH, 2002
Tá an-áthas orm bheith anseo libh arís ar an ócáid speisialta seo. Míle bhuíochas díbh as an gcuireadh agus as fáilte a bhí caoin, cneasta agus croíúil.
I am delighted to be back here again amongst friends today to launch this wonderful Mosaic, a culmination and celebration of the collaboration between Draíocht, pupils, teachers, schools and artists. This is truly a marvellous example of what Draíocht is all about, community talent released through co-operation and commitment and of course affirmed by the recognition this lovely centre offers.
When I was last here in May to open this state-of-the-art complex, I was hugely impressed with the facilities available, catering for a broad range of artistic activities. But I was even more struck by the faith and energy of the people involved in Draíocht. Had it not been for the dreams and aspirations of a community and their dogged determination to realise those dreams and hopes, Draíocht would not, could not, have happened. We have much to be grateful to that envisioned group of people today – for they nurtured and cared for an idea, they delivered what they set out to achieve, to build a centre for the arts which would be flexible and accessible to all.
The very cornerstone of the Outreach/Education Programme here is enabling children and young people engage fully with the arts at every level, be it as audience, participants and creators, both inside and outside the context of school. The project we gather around today involved 12 local primary schools, 350 5th class pupils and four artists. It called for serious logistical skills and a sustained commitment to the culture of collaboration as you all focussed on the common goal. Here we see the result of a truly outstanding effort by so many, each applying their own unique talent and skill, no two making the same contribution but together making an object of great beauty that gives as much pride to those who see it as it does to those who made it.
Draíocht is proving that it is a place of great adventure in the Arts. The Arts belong to everyone. They are not the icing on the cake, but rather the very leaven that makes the cake rise. No group owns the arts either as spectator or contributor and Draíocht is helping all of us to understand that this is a world that welcomes us all and needs us all. Seamus Heaney put it very well when he said “The kinds of truth that art gives us many, many times are small truths. They don’t have the resonance of an encyclical from the Pope stating an eternal truth, but they partake of the quality of eternity. There is a sort of timeless delight in them.”
Every community has its own rich and varied cultural life tapestry but without centres like Draíocht, that immense and inherent talent often lies untapped, wasted, for want of opportunity. What you do here is important and why you do it is even more important. The people of Blanchardstown, Fingal and beyond can be truly proud of this facility and what it strives so hard and so well to achieve. This marvellous Mosaic is indicative of the synergies that are created in this place – it is a splendid and fitting tribute to the huge effort of everyone involved. I would like to commend and congratulate you all for yet again another success in your short history. I look forward to hearing more of those successes which Draíocht will undoubtedly enjoy in the years ahead.
Déanaim comhghairdeas libh arís agus guím rath agus séan oraibh sna blianta atá romhainn amach. Go raibh maith agaibh.