REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE BALLINAMEEN COMMUNITY CENTRE BALLINAMEEN
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE BALLINAMEEN COMMUNITY CENTRE BALLINAMEEN, CO. ROSCOMMON SUNDAY, 2ND MAY 1999
It is an honour and a pleasure to have been asked to officially open this community centre in Ballinameen. I would like to thank all of you, but especially Fr Frank McGauran, for inviting me here.
- You are indeed fortunate to have a man such as Fr. McGauran in your midst, for I know he has been a key player in the development of this project, as in so many other activities in the area. I know also how much time and effort he has taken in preparing for my visit here today. I have hardly been in a place around the country over the past 6 months where someone hasn’t come up to me and mentioned Ballinameen on May 2nd. Indeed, this is a phenomenon that is not just confined to Ireland - word seems to have stretched right around the globe. When I was in Mexico a few weeks ago, two nuns came up to me and asked me about my visit to Ballinameen, highlighting a hitherto little known but obviously vibrant Ballinameen-Mexico connection. It is an indication both of the incredible network of friends that Fr McGauran has all over the world, and of the amazing amount of preparation he has made for this visit. I really appreciate it and I would like to warmly thank him for all his work to make this a very special day for all of us.
- It is a particular joy for me to come back once again to Ballinameen, for as I’m sure many of you know, I have close family ties with this place. Indeed it is co-incidental that this building was once the National School where Delia Keenan, a niece of my great grandmother, taught for forty six years. I have many wonderful memories of holidays spent in the company of my grandmother in this area, memories which I cherish to this day.
- It is wonderful to see that this building continues to be used for the good of the community. I have had the privilege of seeing the enormous energy and enthusiasm which communities like this are capable of right around the country, by getting projects such as this Centre off the ground. I have no doubt that it will be a wonderful resource for everyone, a living centre which brings people together in a spirit of co-operation and mutual help, a place where people will always find a helping hand, a willing listener and a true friend.
- Voluntary activity has always played an important role in Irish life. This Centre is proof that that proud tradition is alive and well. For I know that its existence owes much to the generosity of so many local people in giving of themselves, their time and money, for the good of the community. To all of you, I would like to say a particular thank you. You can take justifiable pride in all you have achieved here.
- It is always difficult to single out just a few individuals, but I would like to extend a special word of thanks and congratulations to Fr Frank McGauran, John Beirne, Chairman, and Maura McDermott, the Secretary of the Project. I would also like to warmly commend Paddy Joe Lynch, who supervised the building of the Centre, the local participants who helped in the building work, and everyone in FAS, whose support and funding has been invaluable.
- You all know the Irish saying ‘Ní neart go chur le chéile’ – there is strength in unity. We need look no further than this Centre to see how successful partnerships of this kind between the local community and state agencies can be.
- Thank you all once again for inviting me here today. I have no doubt that this Centre will be a wonderful success and I wish all of you every success in this, and in all your future projects.