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ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO BALLYSHANNON TOWN COMMISSIONERS

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO BALLYSHANNON TOWN COMMISSIONERS SUNDAY 19 APRIL, 1998

Let me say how delighted I am with the warmth of the welcome I have been given in County Donegal since my arrival yesterday - and the reception here in Ballyshannon is as warm as any. It is a privilege for me to be honoured by the Town Commissioners in this way - and I am grateful for the invitation from Pat O’Malley to meet with you today.

As one of the oldest towns in Ireland, Ballyshannon has seen many changes in its history – from its time as an ancient Neolithic settlement – then as the site of an early Celtic monastery – and later as a stronghold of the O’Donnells – who built a major castle in the town. Just over a hundred years ago – in 1896 - the Town Commission was established under the Town Improvement Act, 1854. In the Commission’s first year of existence Ireland was a very different place. For example, the Locomotives on Highways Act of 1896, removed the severe restrictions on power-driven vehicles on public roads – permitting the practical use of motorcars on roads for the first time in Ireland. And for visitors to Ballyshannon today – especially those who want to visit the grave of the great poet from Ballyshannon – William Allingham – it would be a real ‘uphill climb’ if it weren’t for the vision and foresight of those who saw fit to liberate the motorcar all those years ago!

It was the arrival of the motorcar – and the great strides that have been made in the whole area of transport since then – that has brought people to and from Ballyshannon in greater and greater numbers. Perched as it is as the gateway to Donegal – with easy access to Beleek and Sligo – Ballyshannon has always enjoyed importance as a centre of transport and trade. It is a vibrant town and a prosperous town – a town that is fortunate to have had a long list of dedicated Town Commissioners over the last century.

It is worth noting that when it was first established – it was not possible for women to be Town Commissioners. It was two years later that the Local Government (Ireland) Act of 1898 “qualified” women to sit on Town Commissions – but not, mind you, on county or borough councils! Clearly we have progressed since then – with women even “qualifying” for election to the office of President. And I am happy to see that today, Ballyshannon, has a woman on the Town Commission – hopefully, more and more women will deem themselves “qualified” as we move into the next century!

Indeed - as the new millennium approaches - all of us on this island look to a future of hope – a future based on partnership and mutual co-operation – a future where the significance of Ballyshannon as a trading and a tourist centre should steadily increase. Ballyshannon has a great past and - in thanking you again for your warm hospitality. I would like to commend the great work being done by the people and Town Commissioners of Ballyshannon – in meeting the challenges that change brings – in working together to make Ballyshannon the vibrant and prosperous that it is. That effort and commitment is reflceted in the Development Plan for Ballyshannon which was published last year. I wish you well with your plans - and continued prosperity for the next millennium.

ENDS