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REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF GARABAN AMENITY PARK ON WEDNESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER, 1998

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF GARABAN AMENITY PARK ON WEDNESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER, 1998

Firstly I'd like to thank you for your warm welcome to me today. I'm delighted to have this opportunity to meet with local people and visiting guests alike on this cheerful occasion - the official opening of Garaban Amenity Park. May I also say how happy I am that you invited me to officially open the Park.

Since my inauguration I have visited many communities around Ireland – in towns, cities and villages. In practically every place I have been, I have been amazed at what people have been doing for themselves and their communities. It’s as though communities have come full circle from the days when it was the norm for neighbour to help neighbour – through the ‘fashion’ of people just looking out for themselves – or to ‘the authorities’ to provide services – to the realisation that communities are about people helping each other – and working together to meet their needs as they see them – and not as somebody in ‘officialdom’ sees them. That coming of age has happened all over Ireland – and is contributing in no small way to the growing prosperity that we have been enjoying in recent years.

Here in Garaban, you identified such a need - in this case the need to solve the problem of a site fronting the Estate which was generally considered to be an eyesore. The site belonged to the County Council who - entrusted your Residents Association to develop the site in a tasteful manner. You have risen to the challenge admirably and you have succeeded in providing an excellent amenity for local people and a welcome rest point for passing motorists.

I was particularly impressed to hear that you have renovated and extended the derelict pump house which will now include accommodation for the local doctor - up to now I understand patients were seen in a caravan.

This park is a place where people in the area can meet as a community. Projects such as this are never easy to complete but perseverance pays off. It is – I think - a sign of a healthy community – where people are prepared to row in - to lend their support and energy for the good of all - where they can pool their resources to work for each other. Embarking on a project such as this involves commitment, dedication and hard work – in involves new partnerships and linkages between the people of the community and between the community and outside help.

This is what community partnerships are all about. All over Ireland, communities are using the partnership model to focus energy and resources on improving their areas – in making them places of which they can be proud. This is a great achievement for the people of Garaban – a community that has taken a keen interest in its local environment and the welfare of its people.

This amenity park is the result of a lot of time, effort and commitment on the part of many people. I have no doubt that this will be a living, vibrant resource long into the future – a credit to your energy and generosity. Garaban residents Association have done an excellent job.

I would like also to pay tribute to everyone who have supported you in this venture. I understand that FAS were a source of great assistance and encouragement to you as were many others including County Councillors and the Post-master General in Dundalk to name but a few. I am also delighted to see that you were successful in your application for assistance under the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. This Programme has done much in the last few years to promote understanding across communities in the Border Region and throughout Northern Ireland.

I would like to finish by congratulating everyone associated with making this project a success. I hope that the sense of community, which has developed here in Garaban - leaving you feeling empowered to develop this amenity park - will continue to grow. I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can - in the short time I can remain with you today - and I hope that our paths will soon cross again.

Thank You