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DRAFT SPEAKING POINTS FOR PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF THE IRISH COMMUNITY RECEPTION

DRAFT SPEAKING POINTS FOR PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF THE IRISH COMMUNITY RECEPTION TO NOTTINGHAM ON 11 JULY

I am delighted to have the opportunity to attend this reception for the Irish in Nottingham - hosted by Ambassador and Clare Barrington. I feel that it is important for me while I am here - to have the opportunity to meet you - the representatives of the Irish community in Nottingham.

- Earlier today I was privileged to receive an honorary degree at the University of Nottingham on this, my first visit to Nottingham as President of Ireland. In January of this year I visited Leeds – where I met with members and representatives of the Irish community there.

- I know - from a paper kindly sent to me by Patrick Murphy of the Nottingham Irish Studies Group - that Irish people have been coming to Nottinghamshire for many years. In the early part of the last century we came as migrant agricultural labourers - more came in the middle of the nineteenth century - fleeing the terrible Great Hunger - and migration has continued up to very recent times. Now I see an Irish community which is vibrant - and a people who are confident. You have been welcomed into your adopted city and have in turn contributed hugely to it.

- In recent years in Britain there has been a new fascination with - and an appreciation of - Irish culture. This is reflected in the many Irish plays on the London stage - in the popularity of Irish music and Irish dance - and in the success of Irish writers and filmmakers. Irish people here in Britain - whether Irish-born or of Irish descent - are exploring and celebrating their cultural heritage. It is an exciting time. Organisations like Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann - which has a strong branch here in Nottingham - foster among Irish people - and introduce to others - the best of Irish culture, Irish dancing, music and song. The GAA too is active in Nottingham. It seems to me that the Irish in Britain, and in Nottingham, maintain and promote, with immense pride, that which is best in Irish culture.

- Just as Irish people in Britain celebrate their culture and heritage - and by so doing enrich the fabric of this society - so I believe the different traditions on the island of Ireland can and should enrich life there. After this reception I return to Dublin to host a reception to mark “the Twelfth”. It will the first occasion on which the events of 1690 have been marked at Áras an Uachtaráin. Ireland today is a forward looking country – with a self-confidence and self-belief that has seen it make tremendous progress and success over the last decade. The true measure of our success is in our ability to let the past go, yet recognise the different traditions and cultures that today make up our country – to share in the commemoration of their histories – accept that each has a right to their heritage – and that theirs is also part of ours – each shaping the other subtly - and each an integral part of our shared history and heritage.

- The future should bring a whole new set of relationships between the cultures and traditions of the people of Ireland – and between the people of Britain and Ireland. Our shared histories – the events and episodes of the past centuries – have put down deep roots that have inter-twined and interconnected with each other – and given us a rich diversity in our heritage and tradition on which we can build new relationships.