ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO KINSALE UDC
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO KINSALE UDC ON FRIDAY 24 APRIL, 1998
I’m really delighted to be here in Kinsale on my first visit in an official capacity, and I’m deeply honoured by the very warm welcome and kindness I have encountered since my arrival. I am particularly grateful for the very warm words of welcome from you, Chairman, which has been echoed by the other members of the Urban District Council this morning. Like many travelers to the South, I have been in Kinsale before – it is one of those places that you have to visit if you’re in or about County Cork at all - and I’m happy that on this occasion, I have been invited to be with you at the start of a full programme that will bring me to Ringaskiddy and Cork later today – and on to Clonakilty and Oileán Chléire tomorrow.
Kinsale has featured largely in Irish history – being the site of the battle in 1601 which was to be a major turning point in the fortunes of Ireland and its people. Of course Kinsale’s origins go back much further than 1601 – and like many other Irish towns – was originally a religious settlement. Indeed the Church of St. Multose – one of the oldest Church of Ireland churches in the country – was originally built in 1190. Since then Kinsale has seen many changes – being a major wine port supplying ships for the Vintage Fleet as far back as 1412 – and then taking on a pivotal military role in the 1600s – with the construction of Charles Fort in 1677.
Nowadays, Kinsale has to some extent reverted to its early role as a boating centre and - with the ‘gourmet’ connection – no doubt enjoys a healthy trade in wine! And later this morning - I will be attending the International Speciality Food Symposium – an event which further underlines Kinsale’s significance on the international stage as a gourmet centre. The many restaurants in the town are unique in that they have come together into a ‘partnership’ – as the ‘Good Food Circle’ – to serve a variety of foods which are second to none – and for which Kinsale has gained a high reputation in Ireland and abroad.
Kinsale is now a vibrant town, serving as a hub for the West Cork tourism industry - supporting many leisure activities – activities like sailing, windsurfing, scuba-diving, fishing, golf and walking. Clearly Kinsale has got its act together and knows where it’s going. That success is the result of co-operation between the traders of the town – he tourism body – and of course the Urban District Council. It is a successful combination of talent, dedication and hard work – and is a combination that will see Kinsale continue to ride on the crest of the wave.
Thank you again for your reception this morning and I wish the people of the town – trough you, their hard-working representatives – continued success in the millennium ahead.