REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OFFICIAL PRESENTATION OF THE ‘WRITE HERE! WRITE NOW! BOOK
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OFFICIAL PRESENTATION OF THE ‘WRITE HERE! WRITE NOW! MILLENNIUM BOOK
Is ócáid speisialta í seo domsa agus tá mé thar a bheith buíoch as an chuireadh a thug sibh dom teacht anseo inniu chun an leabhar seo a bhronnadh ar Leabharlann Náisiúnta na hÉireann.
It is my great pleasure and privilege to join you here today to present this Millennium Book – a mind-boggling 23 volumes in all – to the National Library. I was delighted to become Patron of this wonderful and original project and it has been a fascinating and most enjoyable experience. Those of us who are parents know the incredible imagination, humour and honesty that young people are capable of – sometimes a little more honesty than we expected – and these qualities shine through every page of this book.
Anybody who has an interest in archives or archaeology knows the excitement of discovering the secrets of the past. You’ve only to think of the wonderful treasures which the excavation of Wood Quay brought us – how they revealed the way our ancestors lived, what they ate, the clothes they wore, the dwellings they inhabited. But it is rarer and even more fascinating to find out about the hopes, dreams, expectations and fears of ordinary people in past ages. So often, for lack of written records, that knowledge has been denied us. But future generations will be more fortunate, because this book will provide a lasting record of Ireland at the close of the 20th century. I wonder what reactions it will generate a hundred and more years from now – will they be surprised at how little has changed, or baffled at the incredibly different lives we led? Will they pore over references to B*witched and Roy Keane with bemusement, or curse the fact that they can’t read our outdated CD ROM technology because of year 3000 computer bugs? Some things, I suspect, will never change.
I would like to say a special thank you to all the students right around the country who took part in this project – for your enthusiasm and creativity, for giving so generously of your time and so wholeheartedly of your lives. Those of you who made it into the final volumes can be sure that you have claimed a place in history – not a bad achievement before you’ve even left school. I would also like to warmly congratulate all of the teachers who helped and encouraged everyone to participate.
I have nothing but admiration for the incredible amount of work that has been put in by so many people to complete this Book. There is an Irish saying ‘Ní neart go cur le chéile - our strength is in working together – and you have certainly proved that. The Co-ordinator of this mammoth task, John P. Kelly and Maura O’Keeffe, the Communications Officer deserve particular mention, as I’m sure they ate, slept, dreamt and had nightmares about ‘WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW’ for many months past. It is truly a remarkable achievement, and I know you received wonderful help from the wonderful corps of volunteers who processed and logged the countless entries that came in. The National Library staff who sorted and assembled the chosen manuscripts also deserve great credit.
None of this would be possible, if it had not been for the funding and support provided by the National Millennium Committee and in particular, the members of the sub-committee who pooled their energy and resources to such magnificent effect. It is a wonderful celebration of the Millennium and I congratulate you for running with it.
But there is one final person who, more than anyone, is responsible for this achievement: Deirdre Purcell. Many people might have thought it was a good idea – for someone else to do. Deirdre put the bit between her teeth, and did it – she made it happen through her energy, dedication, encouragement and sheer persistence. You’ve done a truly wonderful job.
It is now my great pleasure to present the ‘WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW, Millennium Book to the National Library.
Go maire sibh. Go raibh maith agaibh.