REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY RECEPTION ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY RECEPTION ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN MONDAY, 17TH MARCH, 2008
Céad míle fáilte ag Áras an Uachtaráin agus Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh. Tá súil agam gur bhainfidh sibh sult as an cheiliúradh seo.
Martin and I are delighted to welcome each one of you to Áras an Uachtaráin to join in what is a global celebration of St Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint and this day, our National Day, named in honour of our most famous immigrant.
St Patrick’s immigrant status has always been a source of courage and inspiration to the millions of emigrating Irish. Today we hope he also gives encouragement and inspiration to the many newcomers to Ireland. As they put down roots and make new lives here I hope they feel welcomed and included as part of the large international family that is Ireland today.
This is already a very special St Patrick’s Day for it is taking place against a backdrop not just of prosperity but of peace and partnership at a level not experienced before. A new cross-community administration in Northern Ireland has begun to build up good neighbourly cross-border relationships which augur well for a future that will be very different from the past.
There could not be a better time to be in Ireland whether native or newcomer for we are on the verge of discovering what our fuller potential is as we work together to “fill the centuries arrears” to quote John Hewitt that great Ulster poet. We have seen all too brutally what hatred and mistrust reduced us to, and now, please God, we shall soon see what tolerance, respect and love can lift us to. We are at last living the truest legacy of St Patrick, for it was he who first introduced us to the commandment to love one another and to the role of love in building us up humanly.
So today we gather to enjoy this day, to enjoy each other’s company, to make new friends, to gather up new and happy memories and to make this a treasured afternoon of fun, and fáilte.
Thank you to the Áras team who have created a warm and special welcome, to the entertainers who have created a lively and unique atmosphere and above all thank you for being here. Enjoy the day.
I wish you and your families a happy and peaceful St Patrick’s Day, and a safe journey home.
Go raibh maith agaibh agus slán abhaile.