MARY ROBINSON UNVEILING A PLAQUE TO MARK THE GRANTING OF A CHARTER TO DUNMANWAY, CO CORK
23 NOVEMBER, 1993
- I am delighted to be with you today to take part in the celebrations of the granting of the Charter to Dunmanway three hundred years ago. I am reliably informed that in 1615 Teige McDermot Carty received the grant of a fair at Ballyhallon (Ballyhalwick) and a market at Kilbarah (Kilbarry). In the same year Randal Ög Hurley received the grant of a fair at Nydenaghmore (Nedinagh) - that grant forms the origin of the famous Ballyboy Horse Fair and Races. However, it was the grant in 1693 to Richard Cox of a market and two fairs at Dunmanway that provided the stimulus for the urban development and growth of Dunmanway town.
- My reliable informant has also sent me a great amount of very interesting background information and it is clear that he has a passionate affection for this town and for County Cork. I am indeed indebted to Senator Calnan for the wealth of detail on the town and its history that he has provided.
- Many communities throughout Ireland are today engaged in the adventure of rediscoving their history and learning of the great wealth of the heritage that they possess. There is a visible pride associated with the discovery of ancient roots and of a history that spans centuries and, indeed, millennia.
- This renewed interest in our heritage has prompted many local initiatives and projects that are transforming the Irish landscape, rural and urban. Their pride in their distinguished historical past has prompted many communities to make it more accessible, not just to members of the community itself, but to visitors and tourists who come to learn about the locality and its people. What better way to sense the pulse of a community that to examine and learn about its past and the hopes and achievements of its people ?
- Much of this development has a valuable commercial dimension and heritage tourism is becoming increasingly important as a means of attracting wealth to localities and generating much needed employment. Visitors to Ireland who are interested in our heritage now have an abundance of heritage amenities to visit and study. The many excellent projects and centres that have sprung up as a result of community endeavour and self help have created valuable resources that are making Ireland more and more an interesting and attractive destination for visitors who wish to learn more about us and our culture.
- The celebration of three hundred years in the history of Dunmanway offers a unique opportunity for you to focus interest on the town, to provide information on its rich history and traditions, to give an insight into how the community lived in times past and the influences that shaped its development.
- Your district has a long and distinguished history - there is evidence of habitation here as far back as the New Stone Age. The history of your town reflects the history of our country. Yours is one of the many progressive communities throughout this island that are working so hard to enhance their communities and those who helped to give birth to your town so many years ago would be proud of the way in which the town has flourished since then.
I wish you every success in your celebrations.