REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE RETURN RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNOR GENERAL
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE RETURN RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNOR GENERAL IN THE NATIONAL GALLERY
Is mór liom an chaoi seo buíochas a ghabháil arís lena shoilse Fear Ionaid na Banríona agus an Bhantiarna Deane as a gcuid féile.
I am very glad to have the opportunity to thank his Excellency the Governor General and Lady Deane once again for their hospitality. Throughout my visit to Australia, from the first moment I arrived to the time of my departure, I enjoyed nothing but the warmest of welcomes and the most generous hospitality. I am pleased that we have been able to return it in some small measure. I hope that you feel at home here as we did when in Australia.
I was greatly impressed during my visit as to the scale of the Irish contribution to the political and public life in Australia. But it is of course, a two-sided relationship based on mutual esteem as well as interest. Commercial ties are increasing on both sides; there are strong parliamentary links and cultural links. A fine example of this is the former deputy director of this Gallery, Dr Brian Kennedy, who is currently Director of the Australian National Gallery, and the establishment of the first Centre of Australian studies in UCD, which reflects the growing awareness in Ireland of the special role Australia has played and continues to play in Irish life.
During my visit I was struck in particular about the number of common traditions and values we share with Australia. Not only is Australia one of the friendliest countries in the world, it is in the words of your Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, “the most Irish country in the world outside Australia”. Our two countries have now for hundreds of years shared the closest link of all - that created by contact between people. History has forged a special bond of friendship between our two countries. Australia in the past has provided a home for countless number of Irish people who left Ireland forever to find a better life there. Indeed Governor Deane’s own family history bears witness to this fact. I am sure that he will find it a very moving experience when he visits the home of his ancestors in Co Tipperary tomorrow.
The full and varied programme for the Governor and Lady Deane’s visit, offers them a very good overview of Ireland, old and new: from Newgrange, which represents Ireland’s prehistoric past, to our more recent history as reflected in places such as Trinity College, Áras an Uachtaráin; Iveagh House; the Pro-Cathedral, and of course, the National Gallery itself. These are buildings which have close associations with Ireland’s past but which continue to play a central role in the Ireland of today.
The International Fund for Ireland project in Dundalk, which you visited yesterday, is an excellent example of the valuable cross border work supported by the Fund. I would like to pay tribute once again to the Australian Government for their continuing support for the Fund.
I know, however, that in the true spirit of the Irish Australian relationship, it will be people rather than places that will make your visit really memorable. I hope you will leave here with warm and lasting memories of your time here, as I did from my visit to Australia.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh arís. Is sibh Croí na Feile. Tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh taitneamh agus tairbhe as an chuid eile den chuairt seo.