REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE ON OPENING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE ON OPENING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION OF THE FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL COLLECTIONS OF IRELAND
A chairde uilig.
Is onóir dom bheith anseo libh anocht ar ócáid speisialta seo i saol na mBailiúcháin Náisiúnta.
I had great pleasure last year in becoming Patron of the Friends of the National Collection of Ireland, so I am particularly pleased to be here this evening to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Friends and to open this exhibition.
An anniversary is an excellent time to take stock of where we are, to celebrate what has been achieved and to look to the future.
I believe it was the 19th century Finnish statesman and philosopher, J.V. Snellman, who wrote that a small nation’s power was in its culture. Never was that more true than in the case of Ireland. Tonight, I would like to acknowledge the pioneering spirit and foresight of the founder of the Friends, Sarah Purser. As far back as 1924, in the context of the emerging Free State, she recognised this principle and, with a group of like-minded people, worked in a very practical way to do something about it. Together, they helped to ensure that valuable treasures of Ireland’s heritage would be secured by the National Collection and preserved for posterity.
Through their enlightened approach, and their untiring support of the arts, the Friends demonstrated a real appreciation of the importance of a vibrant visual arts sector in establishing a cultural identity, which was particularly significant in the newly founded State.
Over 50 museums and galleries throughout the 32 counties of Ireland have benefited from the generosity of the Friends over the last 50 years – from our National Cultural Institutions to smaller local and regional museums and galleries. The donations and bequests have filled gaps in collections, formed the nucleus of others and enriched all of the collections which they have assisted. Looking around me this evening, the first thing that strikes me is the diversity of this collection, as reflected in the exhibition, which shows only a fraction of the donations given, yet includes paintings, sculpture, carvings, silver, stained glass, books, furniture and textiles, spanning five centuries.
This exhibition demonstrates in a very real way what this voluntary organisation has done for the people of Ireland and for the arts in this country. Many of the works on display could have been lost to the public had it not been for the work of the Friends. I would like to take this special opportunity to commend the members of the Friends who have contributed to the work which has culminated in this remarkable exhibition and indeed in producing an excellent catalogue of the works secured by the Friends over the years. And, on behalf of the Friends, I would like to acknowledge the financial assistance of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in the production of this catalogue, which also acts as an important record of the work of the Friends.
As we move into the 21st century, there are exciting developments at many of the cultural institutions which have benefited from the generosity of the Friends in the past, including the Chester Beatty Library, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery. However, the need for organisations with the foresight and generosity of the Friends remains as important as ever.
Their work calls to mind W.B. Yeats’ poem:
“To a Wealthy Man Who Promised a Second Subscription to the Dublin Municipal Gallery if it were proved the People wanted Pictures”
“Look up in the sun’s eye and give,
What the exultant heart calls good
That some new day may breed the best
Because you gave, not what they would,
But the right twigs for an eagle’s nest!”
Tonight, we celebrate that generosity and commitment of the Friends down through the years in the many gifts they have given the Irish people – past, present and the generations yet to come. It gives me great pleasure to declare this wonderful exhibition open, and to wish the Friends every success for the next 75 years.
Is iontach an obair áta ar súil agaibh. Gura fada buan sibh.