ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF THE MAYORAL RECEPTION IN CITY HALL
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF THE MAYORAL RECEPTION IN CITY HALL, LIMERICK ON MONDAY 4 MAY 1998
I’d like to thank you Mayor, for your kind words of welcome to me on this – my first ‘official’ welcome to Limerick since becoming President – and at the start of a visit during which I will also visit Bawnmore – to launch the 21st Anniversary celebrations of the brothers of Charity – the Mary Immaculate Training College – to launch a history of the College – and then on to Broadford – in County Limerick – to unveil a monument to the great Irish poet – Daibhi Ó Bruadair.
Limerick City itself is one of the great Irish cities – and has left an indelible mark on our history. From its Viking origins as a clay and wattle settlement in the 9th century – it developed through the centuries – with the splendid St. Mary’s Cathedral being built in the twelfth century – before the next group of visitors – the Normans – made their considerable impact – with places like King John’s Castle – one of the finest pieces of Norman architecture in Ireland.
In the centuries that followed Limerick has seen much of the turbulence and conflict which characterised that troubled period in our history – enduring the twelve months siege by Cromwell which ended in October 1651 – and two further sieges in the Jacoite-Williamite war – in 1690 – when Sarsfield destroyed a great convoy of Williamite guns and ammunition in Ballyneety - and again in 1691 – when the Treaty of Limerick brought an end to the war – and because it was subsequently dishonoured – led to Limerick becoming known as the “city of the violated treaty”.
The eighteenth century saw the city expand beyond its original walls – giving Limerick its wide streets and Georgian architecture which characterise the city today – and the ravages of the Great Famine were to have their impact on the population of the city in the hemorrhage of emigration that was to continue up to relatively recently. Following the economic depression of the early decades of this century – so vividly portrayed by Frank McCourt in his novel “Angela’s Ashes” – Limerick has continued to expand and prosper. The proximity of the Shannon industrial region – and the airport - have been a boost to the city and the entire region – with the population of region increasing by 20% between 1971 and 1981.
Today, King John’s Castle – that symbol of the great Norman influence – still plays a major role in the life of the city - and in recent years has taken on a new personality – a vibrant character – which reflects the spirit of drive and progressiveness that you can see all around you in the City – a spirit of self-confidence that characterises Limerick and its people. The chequered history of Limerick has brought many influences – each of them adding to the uniqueness of the place – each still valued as part of your make-up. You have a great city – and you are a resourceful people. I commend you on making Limerick a City of which all of its sons and daughters can be proud – a City set to prosper for many more millenia.
ENDS