Media Library

Speeches

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OF IRELAND, MARY McALEESE AT DINNER HOSTED BY THE KENNEDY LIBRARY FOUNDATION

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OF IRELAND, MARY McALEESE AT DINNER HOSTED BY THE KENNEDY LIBRARY FOUNDATION

Senator and Mrs. Kennedy, Mayor Menino and Distinguished Guests.

On behalf of Martin and myself, as well as our delegation, I want to thank you for your wonderful welcome and hospitality this evening. I would also like to acknowledge the presence here this evening of representatives of the Irish Times, who will be our co-hosts at the Institute of Politics at Harvard tomorrow.

It is truly a special moment for me to visit this remarkable Library and Museum, to join the members of your family who are here, and to share this occasion with so many friends of Ireland who are present.

Since its foundation the Library has represented the ideals of President Kennedy through a range of research and activities which is truly admirable. I wish to pay tribute to that achievement to you, Senator, to the Library’s President Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, to all of your family, as well as the dedicated Board and Staff who have worked so effectively to achieve this and of course to honour also the memory of Senator Robert Kennedy, particularly this year.

Just two years ago, as a private citizen, I came to visit here. As for thousands of other Irish visitors to Boston, we feel this is instinctively, where we want to come. I was profoundly moved. The Library and Museum must surely be the most outstanding living testimony of its kind. For my generation, growing up in the 1960’s, we were of course irrevocably shaped and motivated by that extraordinary time. It means a great deal to me, at a personal level that my first official event in Boston as President of Ireland should be at the Kennedy Library – I can think of nowhere more appropriate.

When we visit here, we are of course sharply reminded of what we lost, but I would prefer to reflect on what we found, on the legacy which we have and the ideals which we must protect. The Kennedy Library is as much about our future as our past.

President Kennedy’s Irish roots have never been forgotten. His election in 1960 was, for Irish people everywhere, a source of inspiration and joy. None of us will forget the impact of his visit to Ireland at a time of dramatic change and challenge in our own country. As he said in his address to our Parliament in 1963 “our two nations, divided by distance, have been united by history”. Those four days which President Kennedy spent in Ireland were unforgettable for all involved. His impact was total, for young and old alike. The words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, another son of New England, perhaps reflect the mood of that time.

 

“He spoke and words more soft than rain

Brought the age of gold again:

His action won such reverence sweet

As hid all measure of the feat”.

 

I am pleased to think that in just a few months time, next May, the Dunbrody ship from the President’s own County Wexford, will sail into this harbour, offering a powerful symbol of the Irish emigrant story and reminding us in particular of the arrival of the Kennedy family in the United States. The emigrant story is part of us all – for many of you here in this room who bear Irish names and constantly acknowledge and celebrate your Irish heritage.

One of the great achievements of this Library is the fact that it has established such an important place in the lives of the children of Massachusetts and beyond. Our future is in their hands, as it is also in Northern Ireland.

When Mrs. Hilary Clinton visited Northern Ireland last month, she addressed the Vital Voices Conference. She observed then that Belfast today, a playground is being built with the advice of children on both sides of the community. They will be, literally, architects of their own environment. Since the Good Friday agreement reached last April, and the subsequent elections held in Northern Ireland this summer, all the people living in Northern Ireland have the chance to design and shape their own future. I know that all of you here shared the great joy of that time.

The day of the Agreement, however, Senator George Mitchell, who did so much to bring the Agreement about, noted that this would not yet put an end to violence and unfortunately this proved to be true. However, despite the awful event in Omagh and other recent tragedies, the Agreement does represent the best opportunity yet for a new beginning, for new structures, for real democracy and equality and for lasting peace. The referendums of this summer have put beyond all doubt that the Agreement is the democratic mandate of the people to their political leaders. A great deal of progress has been made already in forging new partnerships at political, economic and social levels. Difficult work and challenges lie ahead in all of these areas, but, with your help, we are now firmly established on the road to a peaceful future.

Tomorrow morning, I look forward to paying tribute to an important and tragic part of that heritage when I visit the Famine Memorial in Boston with Mayor Menino and Tom Flatley. That Memorial, on your Freedom Trial, is a sombre and important reminder of the devastation of that time and of Boston’s central place in that story.

But we know too that the story of the Irish in Massachusetts in this century is one of overcoming adversity, of endeavour, courage and success. Few of us would have dared to dream of how far that success could eventually reach, in 1998, in terms of political achievement and economic prosperity. The United States, President Clinton and outstanding leaders such as Senator Kennedy, have played a central role in both.

To Jean, I want to offer our gratitude, affection and highest respect. Jean to borrow the Senator’s phrase, came back in the springtime. She not only made thousands of friends in Ireland, she became a pivotal figure in our quest for peace. We will miss her very much. She leaves, however, with the satisfaction of knowing that her legacy will remain and that her good work will continue at the American Embassy in Dublin.

The tour which we have just enjoyed serves as a powerful reminder both of President Kennedy’s life and work but also of the challenges which face us all and particularly those dedicated to public service. This institution reminds us of the challenges of public service and of the obligation which we all share to improve the lives of all, while cherishing the ideals of equality, justice and mutual tolerance. The values inherent in good public service are eloquently represented in this Library. We all need to reinforce those principles constantly in our lives and above all through political leadership.

I want to particularly acknowledge the exceptional support from Massachusetts and the city of Boston for their sustained efforts over the years to promote economic development in Northern Ireland. Many of you will be familiar with the tireless work of John Hume, the SDLP leader with the Boston Derry Ventures to bring much needed jobs to the Derry area. Northern Ireland today continues to rely on your economic assistance. In that regard, I too would like to pay tribute to the generosity and leadership shown by figures such as John Cullinane, present here tonight - and the “Friends of Belfast” who are supporting the economic regeneration there, which is so necessary to underpin the Agreement and the peace process. Indeed, I know that here in the Kennedy Library on Tuesday there was major event to promote economic investment in Northern Ireland.

I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous support that John Cullinane is giving to the creation of a National Military Museum at the National Museum of Ireland – which will recognise the enormous contribution of Irish nationals serving in many armies and in many countries over the past 250 years – including those who served with distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States – and of course the two hundred thousand from all parts of Ireland, who were proud to serve in the British Army during the First World War – so many of whom paid the ultimate price.

The hopes and ideals which we all share for Northern Ireland are represented and cherished under this roof each and every day. As I conclude, I can do no better than to quote from the Library’s own words, that in leaving here, we come way with new insights - we are all inspired by President Kennedy’s vision that one person can make a difference and that every person should try.

ENDS