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ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE ‘TURNING OF THE SOD’ FOR THE AMENITY PARK

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE ‘TURNING OF THE SOD’ FOR THE AMENITY PARK AT CLONAKILTY CO. CORK ON SATURDAY 25 APRIL

I want to thank you for the warm welcome I have received today in Clonakilty – on this, my first visit to the town as President. I am particularly delighted to have been given this opportunity to ‘dig in’ for people of the town – and to have the honour of turn the first sod – to mark the development of the new Amenity Park.

Clonakilty is considered to be the hub of West Cork – and the town through which many tourists travel in search of the rugged beauty for which Cork is famous. It already has many attractions and the ‘beach town’ of West Cork – and as a noted heritage town. Visitors to Clonakilty has immediate access to such attractions as the Model Village – the many historic sites in and within easy distance of the town – and the many leisure activities such as horse riding, swimming and canoeing.

The key to keeping a town successful – to making sure that it remains as one of the key tourism attractions of the region – is to be prepared to make change and improvements – to move with demand – so that it can continue to provide the service and facilities that have given it the reputation that it has today.

Earlier, I had the pleasure of being officially welcomed by the members of Clonakilty Urban District Council – and I was delighted to pay warm tribute to them for their tremendous work and leadership in developing the town into the attractive place that it is today. This site – which has also been provided by the UDC – is another example of their interest in seeing the town develop – and of how they are prepared to take and support initiatives which will enhance the attractiveness of Clonakilty.

The main focus of this new Amenity Park will be the children’s playground – to be tastefully built using wood – and to incorporate many colourful and interesting features designed to be both entertaining for the children who will be fortunate to have the use of the facilities – and to be attractive to the passer-by. In fact – I am assured that when it is completed – it will be “unequalled in Munster if not in all Ireland” – attracting significant visitors to Clonakilty on a year-round basis. The Park will be landscaped and will also contain picnic tables – with new car and bicycle parking facilities – along with information boards covering all aspects of the Clonakilty area. Clearly it will be a wonder to behold!

I am delighted therefore to have the privilege of turning the first sod – and of wishing the project speedy completion.

ENDS