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ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING

ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FAS/ROBERTSTOWN HERITAGE GROUP HERITAGE CENTRE

It gives me great pleasure to be with you today to officially open the FÁS/Robertstown Heritage Group Heritage Centre which demonstrates the richness and variety of the culture and history of the people of Robertstown.

The Robertstown Hotel, then known as the 'Noble Inn', was built in 1801 for the purpose of accommodating passengers travelling by horse-drawn barge on the Grand Canal. It is unlikely that anyone back then could have foreseen the wonderful use to which this historic building is now to be put almost two hundred years on. Looking at the beauty and tranquillity of this village and surrounding landscape, it is not so hard for us, however, to imagine the scene here two centuries ago. Despite the many changes of use this hotel has seen over the years, I am certain that if any member of Robertstown community of that time were to come back today, they would instantly recognize the place. There are not many places in the modern Ireland of the twentieth century's end for which that observation would hold true, which makes the special heritage of Robertstown all the more valuable and worthy of preservation.

In its long life the Old Canal Hotel has fulfilled many functions and has always been at the centre of village life. Situated one day's journey by slow canal boat from Dublin, on the most important junction of the Grand Canal, it was an obvious stopping place for both passenger and trade boats. It was one of a series of five hotels built by the canal company - possibly the earliest example of a hotel chain the country saw! I am aware, too, that it has known hard times: the competition of speedier coach travel was damaging, but the coming of the railways was disastrous. By 1853 the building was leased to the Royal Irish Constabulary and served as a barracks for about fifty years.

Since then it has served the interests of a number of bodies such as Bord na Móna and An Óige, and when the Robertstown guild of Muintir na Tire was formed in 1965, a restoration programme was begun. We are indeed fortunate that this work was continued when Robertstown Development Company took over the lease of the hotel in 1993, determined to develop a tourist initiative for the area. I am delighted to see that none of the building's elegant Georgian character has been sacrificed in the restoration process, and its active future has now been assured for the generations to come.

It is heartening to know that the new Robertstown Heritage Centre whose official opening we celebrate today will be responsible for attracting increasing numbers of visitors, from home and overseas, to experience the unique serenity of this place. Ireland's rich and diverse heritage is a growing area of special interest, as can be seen from the establishment of centres such as this one throughout the country which are a source of pleasure as well as enlightenment to hundreds of thousands of visitors to this country every year.

Today is the culmination of many years of hard work by many different organisations and individuals. I congratulate the Robertstown Heritage Group for this excellent achievement for the local community and indeed for Co Kildare as a whole. I would also like to thank FÁS and the Robertstown Development Association, particularly its Chairman, Liam Hartford, for all their work. The project co-ordinator, Joan Potterton, and the supervisors Cathy Armstrong and Madge Hurst, deserve particular credit. They have not only contributed to the successful restoration of this hotel and the canal barge for the enjoyment of locals and visitors alike - but have also ensured that the FÁS participants on the scheme have gained valuable work experience which have helped many to find employment or go on to further education.

Their on-going work in co-operation with Kildare Co. Council, the Regional Tourism Authority and various other bodies to bring this project to fruition has meant that Robertstown now has the potential to be an even livelier village than it was almost two hundred years ago.

I would like to express my appreciation once again to everyone involved in the project and wish you all every success in the future.