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Speeches

Remarks at a Civic Reception

Limerick's County Hall, 26th April 2012

A Chathaoirligh, Councillors, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Tá an-áthas orm bheith i bhur láthair inniu. Táim buíoch daoibh as an gcuireadh agus as an bhfáilte fíorchaoin a chur sibh romham.

I would like to express my gratitude to Mary Harty, Cathaoirleach, Gerard Behan acting County Manager and all the members of Limerick County Council for their kind invitation to visit you here today.

On my visit to Limerick last December, I had the opportunity to visit St Munchins Community Centre. I was deeply impressed by their vibrant model of community support and development. Their pioneering spirit and approach in caring for the people of their community is remarkable. On a daily basis, facilities such as this one make a difference to the quality of life of so many people.

Today, I have already visited St. Gabriel’s in Dooradoyle, and later on I will have the opportunity to visit Rathfredagh Cheshire Home, near Newcastle West.

St Gabriel’s provides a wide range of therapeutic and life enhancing services to children and young adults with disabilities. With their strong focus on family centred services and supports, I can see how the children and their families are helped and supported through this important facility.

Iam also looking forward to visiting Rathfredagh to see some dance performances. I am told that the integrated dance programme for both disabled and able-bodied people has been running there for the past seven years, in conjunction with the local school. This perhaps shows us a path for the future, where school children and the residents break down the stereotypes and inhibitions around disability and instead are united in their enjoyment of dance. Their ‘Dancer in Residence’, Mary Hartney, has facilitated this collaborative and very worthwhile project between Limerick County Council County, West Limerick Resources and transition year students from West Limerick Schools.

Later this evening, I will attend the Éigse Michael Hartnett Literary and Arts Festival in Newcastle West. As many of you know Michael Hartnett was a Limerick native and a poet of tremendous talent. This festival in his honour has become an important vibrant cultural event which supports and encourages literary talent here in Limerick and throughout Ireland. It is also a wonderful example of collaboration between the arts section of Limerick County Council and the local community of Newcastle West.

It really is great to see such community effort underway, with Limerick County Council taking a leading role. They have supported the development of four Community Enterprise Centres in Broadford, Kilmallock, Kantoher and Croom.

 

Indeed your winning of the best overall Local Authority in Cooperation Ireland’s 2010 Pride of Place Competition is easy to understand when I see how you embrace this role. As a competition, Pride of Place recognises the selfless work being carried out in communities all over Ireland and this accolade recognized your contribution in ensuring that both the community and the council get the maximum benefit from participating in Pride of Place.

It is so very positive and encouraging to witness the development of a strong tradition of community spirit and volunteering. A recent survey from the OECD – the Organisation for Economic Co-operation - revealed Ireland as the second highest country for citizens volunteering their time, donating money and helping a stranger. It is heartening to know that even in these difficult and uncertain times, we have sustained and improved volunteerism throughout Ireland. From 2010 to 2011 alone, we have seen a 24% increase in the number of people registering with Volunteer Centres around the country, (and the value in monetary terms in 2011 of volunteer work amounted to over €9.2million). Limerick specifically has seen a 33% upsurge of people volunteering.

I would also like to acknowledge today the important and valuable role of local development groups, like West Limerick Resources, Ballyhoura Development and the P.A.U.L. Partnership. Along with Local Authorities and the voluntary sector, local development groups are empowering local communities to tackle their problems and realise their potential.

Implementing the mandate you have given me as President, I seek to achieve an inclusive citizenship, where every citizen participates and is treated with respect. I wish to draw attention to and support initiatives for inclusion across Ireland and to make it a priority to visit and to support the participation of the most excluded in our society, including those in institutional care such as Rathfredagh Cheshire Home.

The people of Limerick throughout their history have shown pride and strength in building this impressive city for its citizens and nurturing its rich heritage. Today we see that Limerick is successful in many areas - in business, education, sport, arts, and culture.

I rith a staire, tá muintir Luimnigh i ndiaidh bród agus láidreacht a chur in iúl maidir leis an gcathair iontach seo a thógáil dá saoránaigh agus oidhreacht shaibhir a chothú. Inniu, feicimid go bhfuil Luimneach rathúil i mórán réimsí – i ngnó, in oideachas, i spórt, sna healaíona agus sa chultúr.

It is the cultural capital of the Mid-West region; home to the Irish Chamber Orchestra, the Irish World Academy of Music Dance, DAGHDHA Dance Company, the Belltable Arts Centre, University Concert Hall, the Millennium Theatre, the world-renowned Hunt Museum. These are all notable and successful homes of music, theatre and art.

Last year you held, with great pride and passion, the esteemed title of European City of Sport. Limerick is the envy of other counties, being the home of Munster Rugby, one of Europe’s most famous and successful rugby clubs.

Every time I drive through Limerick I cannot help but feel the power of sport as I see the imposing Thomond Park watching down on its city.

I also want to acknowledge the academic excellence that Limerick has developed, and how this is also being drawn on to stimulate business development. The University of Limerick, the Limerick Institute of Technology and The Limerick College of Art and Design are renowned for producing top class graduates.

So it is great to see that the Business Support Unit of Limerick County Council has established an online business directory aimed at supporting local businesses which was based on research undertaken by Masters Students from the Kemmy Business School, at the University of Limerick.

These are crucial synergies and, in particular, they allow for the implementation of important ideas. As President, I believe in the creativity of our people in all respects - creativity that encourages new ideas of how we can work together to protect our island and its resources, our culture, language, traditions, heritage.

I speak of a creativity of how we can contribute to society; of how we can relate to each other and how perhaps we can do business in an appropriately ethical and sustainable manner into the future; how we reflect in this decade of commemorations the envisioned Ireland of tomorrow, the real Republic, the inclusive society that brings all in from the margins.

Limerick is a privileged county with its many and varied resources, but its greatest assets are its people. It is has been a privilege to return here on what is a very special occasion for me. Thank you most sincerely for this Civic Reception. I am very grateful Mayor, Councillors and staff of Limerick County Council for your kindness and courtesy in hosting this wonderful event.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.