REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OF IRELAND, MARY MCALEESE AT THE OPENING OF CONNOLLY HOUSE, BOSTON COLLEGE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OF IRELAND, MARY MCALEESE AT THE OPENING OF CONNOLLY HOUSE, BOSTON COLLEGE FRIDAY, 16 OCTOBER 1998
President Leahy, friends,
On behalf of Martin and myself, I want to say how happy we are to be at Boston College this evening and to have the opportunity to open Connolly House.
As you know, since the founding of Boston College by Fr. John McElroy over 135 years ago, warm and enduring links have been forged and nurtured between the people of Ireland and the College.
I am glad too that in performing this opening, we remember especially Fathers Brendan and Terence Connolly, the University Librarians whose dedicated efforts did so much, over three decades, to develop this College as a major research institution and to build the Collections which exist here today, notably of course the Irish Collection at the Burns Library. It is appropriate that I mention also the central role of your Chancellor, Father Monan.
It is fitting that the links between us are now physically embodied in this lovely house. Beautifully restored and decorated, most notably with this remarkable St. Patrick’s window behind me, Connolly House stands both as a testament to our shared past and an inspiration to future achievements. The fact that this window offers such an exceptional example of American craftsmanship from the turn of the century, is perhaps a most appropriate symbol of the unique partnership between Ireland and Boston College.
I would like to thank your President, Fr William Leahy and Vice-President Dr Frank Campanella for their tireless efforts to ensure the success of this project and more widely for their commitment to strengthening the links between Ireland and Boston College.
Today, through the dedicated and effective work of the Irish Institute and the Irish Studies Department, and others, Ireland continues to reap the rewards of the College’s expertise.
The work of the Irish Institute, under its Director, Dr. Sean Rowland, has made a very real contribution to peace and economic development in Ireland. It also offers very useful opportunities for many Irish groups from a range of sectors, to gain valuable experience in their field of work. These programmes include, amongst others, the Ron Brown business programme, (in association with the International Fund for Ireland), Women’s Executive programmes and the forthcoming programme for young political leaders.
In bringing a wide range of young Irish professionals and entrepreneurs from both traditions on the island of Ireland to Boston College, the Institute has contributed significantly to the process of building mutual understanding between our people. In the coming year, this positive role will be developed even further through the series of programmes being run by the Institute for the Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly, recently launched here by Secretary of State Mowlam.
I am especially glad that my visit to Boston could coincide with the celebrations which began this month to mark the twentieth anniversary celebrations of the Irish Studies Programme. Through the outstanding efforts of Professors Adele Dalsimer and Kevin O’Neill, as well as Vice-President Neenan and others, this programme has become one of the most respected in the United States. Through your enthusiasm for the history, language, literature and music of Ireland, you have helped nurture and develop an interest in Ireland in thousands of American students. Few would have dreamt of the scale of this achievement. The recent honours received by Adele this summer at the University of Ulster and the presentation to her in Limerick by many distinguished academic figures in Ireland, bear witness to that. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to offer her my warmest congratulations and appreciation.
In conclusion, let me thank you all for your warm welcome here this evening. I look forward to keeping in close touch with developments here at Connolly House and throughout Boston College over the coming years.
ENDS