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PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE VISITS ST. MARY’S CENTRE, DRUMCAR, DUNLEER THURSDAY 7TH MAY, 1998

PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE VISITS ST. MARY’S CENTRE, DRUMCAR, DUNLEER THURSDAY 7TH MAY, 1998

President Mary McAleese, today visited St. Mary’s Centre for people with learning disabilities at Drumcar, Dunleer, Co. Louth, and met with the management, staff, clients and their families.

The President, who was conducted on a tour of the centre by Br. Aloysius Shannon, the Director, visited Greenmount View, St. David’s and the Special School to see some of the facilities at the centre, and to meet a number of the clients and their families. She said that she was delighted with the opportunity to visit St. Mary’s to see the excellent work being done for people with learning disabilities. She wanted to give recognition and affirmation to all the staff, to the carers and to the clients’ families, for their tremendous care and dedicated work with people who were burdened with learning disabilities, and who would otherwise be prevented from reaching their potential.

The President said that St. Mary’s had a spirit of learning and care, under the direction of the Brothers of St. John of God, and which was reflected in the dedication and commitment of those who devote so much attention and love to the people who come to them for help. The President paid a warm tribute to all those who give of their time and energy so generously and who make St. Mary’s the successful and welcoming place that it is for so many people. She said that the clients of the centre were fortunate to have so many people who are prepared to lend their help and support, and to work at making St. Mary’s such a warm and friendly place.

The President said that the success of St. Mary’s was a really a combination of a great deal of effort by a many people - a ‘partnership’ between the management, the teaching and caring staff, the clients and their families - and the many others who help with the centre and the facilities. She said that in a centre such as St. Mary’s, the main focus is on teaching people to realise their own potential – to look after their own needs as much as possible - and to play their full part in the family and community.

She commended the teachers, carers and families for their dedication and commitment to helping those who were less fortunate to make the best of their lives. She said that in making that effort and the sacrifices that it entails they were doing so in the spirit of St. John to whom the Brothers looked for inspiration.

The President also referred to the wider services of the Brothers of St. John of God, and paid tribute to them for their dedication to the improvement of conditions and quality of life for people with learning disabilities, in the centres and workshops in the North Eastern region and in other parts of Ireland.