Speech for use by President McAleese on the occasion of her visit to CLASACH
Speech for use by President McAleese on the occasion of her visit to CLASACH Saturday, 19 September, 2009
Go raibh míle maith agaibh, a chairde, agus míle buíochas as fáilte chaoin Ghaelach a chur romhainn.
Is breá liom ceol traidisiúnta na hÉireann. Tá an ceol dúchais againne chomh saibhir agus chomh healaíonta lena bhfuil ar fáil ar chlár na cruinne. Deirtear liom go bhfuil ceoltóirí óga na hÉireann ar na ceoltóirí is fearr ar domhan. An bhfuil sé sin fíor? Molaim sibh go mór agus molaim bhur múinteoirí fosta.
Cúpla mí i ndiaidh domsa a bheith tofa im’ Uachtarán chuaigh mé chuig ceolchoirm speisialta sa Cheoláras Náisiúnta. Ceolchoirm Clasach a bhí ann.
In January 1998 I was invited to attend a special event in the National Concert Hall. It was the very first Clasach Concert, a fund-raiser for this magnificent project. I remember the occasion very well. The young musicians who played on the stage that night are all grown up now. Clasach is also grown up. What started as an ambitious idea in the mind of a few determined people has developed into this superb facility. I congratulate all who have worked so hard to see the dream realised. I also congratulate those of you gathered here tonight who have helped to take Irish traditional music from the local parish to its lofty position on the world stage.
In ancient times in Ireland, when the power of the bards was at its height, there were four distinct bardic orders or groups. At the top were the poets. Next to them came the law makers and the lawyers. Then came the genealogists; and down at the bottom of the heap were the musicians. It’s a pity I wasn’t around when lawyers were held in greater esteem than musicians in Ireland.
Things have changed a lot since the time of the bards. Today Irish traditional music is of the very warp and weft of Irish identity. For many people in other countries it is the first taste they get of the immense richness of our culture. When I go abroad on state visits we usually have musicians, singers and dancers with us. They showcase the treasures of our traditions and demonstrate to others the spirit, vitality and talent of our people. Sean-nos dancing, especially the brush dance will bring the house down anywhere from Berlin to Beijing. In a world of increasing uniformity there is no better way to express our very distinct character, and to give people an idea of what is known throughout the world as “Irishness”.
Our traditional music is the living music of a people. Although its roots are firmly planted in the past, it is constantly evolving, being enriched and enhanced by new approaches. Tonight we saw and heard a great illustration of this enrichment. The Hounds of Ulster are a living example of how people from different and diverse backgrounds can come together and find common ground in traditional music.
Bhí forbairtí eile ar an traidisiún sin le cloisteáil anseo anocht i gClasach, agus forbairtí maithe fiúntacha a bhí iontu. Tógann sé ár gcroí nuair a chluineann muid ceol álainn á sheinm le cumas agus le mothú. Tá sé sin agaibh, a mhuintir Chlasach, agus anois tá foirgneamh den scoth agaibh le bhur scileanna a ghéarú ann agus le teacht i dtír ar an teagasc maith atá faighte agaibh. Go maire sibh bhur n-ealaín, a chairde; go maire Clasach, agus go maire ár gceol agus ár gcultúr beo.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.