Remarks by President McAleese at Twelfth of July Garden Party
Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin, Tuesday, 12th July, 2011
Dia dhíbh a chairde, Martin and I are delighted that you all joined us here today at Áras an Uachtaráin for this special 12th July garden party. I offer each of you the traditional welcome of the house - céad mile fáilte - one hundred thousand welcomes.
This is the final garden party of 2011 and also the final garden party of my Presidency. Fourteen years ago we inaugurated an annual Garden party on July 12th to mark that famous battle in 1690 which set the children of Williamite and Jacobite on a four hundred year journey into enmity but also to mark the start of our mutual journey out of enmity and into friendship.
We have gathered here each year as the sons and daughters of all the politics, faiths and perspectives which live on this island, in a spirit of hope that we are capable of “filling the centuries’ arrears” and that we can between us build and sustain a peace that offers respect, equality, dignity and space to all traditions, all people. The temper and structure of cross-border relations has changed dramatically in the intervening years. The temper and structure of cross-community politics has changed dramatically in Northern Ireland. And if you needed proof of the altered relationship between this Republic and Great Britain then you need only look to the warm, collegial atmosphere generated by the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh a few short weeks ago. Their visit was a very clear manifestation of the new relationship of neighbourliness and mutual respect that now prevails on this island and between these islands, a relationship underpinned by the clearly expressed will of the vast majority of the people.
The first July 12th Garden Party back in 1998 though it came after the Good Friday Agreement took place against a very discouraging backdrop of continuing and considerable turbulence. Yet thanks to the courage, leadership, generosity and efforts of so many peacemakers that backdrop has grown steadily more reassuring. The destination of full reconciliation and the disappearance of sectarianism is still some distance ahead of us but today, when the old culture of hatred and violence rears its head, as it does still from time to time, it is met with a robust, cross-community solidarity that shows just how much has changed and how much determination there is that this process of change will continue.
By gathering here today we are sending a clear signal that the momentum and the moral force lies with the peace-makers. They will prevail and they will build open, tolerant, communities where every human being can flourish in freedom and without fear, no matter where they live on this island. It is the right of every human being to such a life. Where it is absent, life is miserable, full of wasted opportunities and lives only half-lived. The children of the future will know a different life, free we hope from all that unnecessary loss and grief, estrangement and distrust. It is exciting and energising just to imagine what life might be like for them, what new energies and synergies will transform their quality of life and their opportunities, provided we keep this peace safe and strong.
So today while we hold that serious purpose in our hearts we have fun together thanks to a mighty army of great and glorious entertainers – the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gearóid Grant and featuring the maestro soloist Liam O’Flynn on pipes, elegant tenor Emmanuel Lawler and soloists from the Cross-Border Orchestra. They are going to treat us to a real showcase encompassing all the musical traditions on this island. Bringing all this together will be our wonderful MC, the distinguished broadcaster Dr. Seán O’Rourke who was recently conferred with an honorary doctorate by his alma mater – UCG. As a Galwegian, Seán is pretty relaxed about events at the Boyne but is still trying to get over the disappointment of the outcome at Aughrim on 12 July 1691.
My sincere thanks also to our pianist Chris Kenevey whose music you’ve been enjoying all afternoon. Thanks also to a marvellous Áras Team who have prepared a great welcome for you all and to our partners in the Gardaí, the Civil Defence, the Office of Public Works, St. John of God’s and all those who have worked hard to make your experience an enjoyable one. Finally, my warmest thanks to each of you for making the long or the short journey that took you here today and for your support and friendship over these fourteen years of bridge-building. Please make the day even more comfortable and memorable for each other by offering your hand to a stranger or two and making each other welcome. When you leave here this evening, I hope you will bring with you a warm store of memories and hopefully a new friend or two as well. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.