REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE ON HER VISIT TO OUR LADY’S MANOR EDGEWORTHSTOWN, CO LONGFORD
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE ON HER VISIT TO OUR LADY’S MANOR EDGEWORTHSTOWN, CO LONGFORD SUNDAY, 13TH JUNE 1999
Is mór an pléisiúir dom bheith anseo i bhur measc inniu. Go raibh míle maith agaibh as ucht bhur bhfáilte chaoin.
I am delighted to join you all here today in Our Lady’s Manor, and I would like to thank Sr. Breege Donohoe and Sr Veronica Jones for their kind invitation and very warm welcome that they – and all of you - have given me.
I think that Maria Edgeworth, who bequested this house to be used for ‘some charitable purpose’, would have been delighted to see the wonderful way that the Sisters of Mercy have brought it to life for the benefit of this community. For over 60 years, they have dedicated themselves with tremendous compassion, commitment and love to the welfare and wellbeing of those in need of care in this area. On behalf of all those who have benefited down the years from that loving care, I would like to say a very warm thank you today to all the Sisters of Mercy at Our Lady’s Manor.
It is clear that this is much more than a nursing home. It is a place in which the carers – religious, professional and voluntary – look to the needs of the whole person - physical, spiritual, social and psychological. They know that every individual – regardless of age or sickness – needs human contact, spiritual nourishment, friendship and encouragement. No matter how young or old, how near or far death may be, we all need new experiences, fresh new stories to tell, the excitement of getting something new out of each day.
That is why Our Lady’s Manor is such an important facility, a place where that vision of dignity and respect for every person has been realised to the full. It is a home in the true sense of the word – where patients are valued as well as cared for.
I know it is a great comfort to the families and carers of all those who receive help and support at Our Lady’s Manor, that their loved ones are being so well looked after. They are the people who so often have borne the greatest burden of care for many years. Our Lady’s Manor has provided a lifeline to so many, when home care – no matter how dedicated – is no longer enough. They have the comfort of knowing that that they no longer bear that burden alone – that they are part of the circle of care that surrounds each person at this home.
I have great pleasure in being part of that circle today. I would like to congratulate all of you – the Sisters, staff, residents and families who have made this such a special place. I would also like to thank the children’s choir, local musicians and dancers who are entertaining us today with such talent and enthusiasm.
Thank you again for making me feel so at home here. I wish you many years of continued success.
Mo mhíle buíochas libh arís as ucht an chuireadh a thabhairt dom teacht anseo inniu agus guím Rath Dé oraibh go léir sna blianta atá romhaibh.