Remarks at the Cork Person Of The Year Award
18th January 2013
Tá an-áthas orm a bheith anseo inniu i gCathair Chorcaí le haghaidh na hócáide tábhachtaí seo. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghlacadh le Manus O’Callaghan (Mánas Ó Ceallacháin) as cuireadh a thabhairt dom agus libh go léir as an bhfáilte chroíúil sin.
[I am delighted to be here today in Cork for this important event. I would like to thank Manus O’Callaghan for inviting me to join you and all of you for that very kind welcome. ]
The Cork Person of the Year Award was established by Manus O’Callaghan in 1992 in a spirit of optimism and out of a genuine belief in the resilience of the citizens of Cork; a belief in their determination, their persistence, and their refusal to give in to the gloom and doom that pervaded the mood of the city of Cork at the time.
For over twenty years and in an ever changing Ireland, the people of Cork have been proving Manus right time and again. The history of these awards contains many inspiring stories of local heroes, ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the benefit of their communities, their neighbourhoods, and their society as a whole. It has been inspiring to read and hear the stories of generosity, imaginative thinking, enormous compassion and often great courage which have been behind the many nominations for this award across the last two decades.
While the title of the award is ‘Cork Person of the Year’ we know, of course, that the achievements of many previous winners extend far beyond the margins of this great county. Awardees like Sonia O‘Sullivan, Kevin Downing and Roy Keane have proudly represented Ireland on the international stage; Adi Roche, through her work with the children of Chernobyl constantly reminds us of the importance of reaching out, in a spirit of solidarity, with our friends and neighbours in our international community; Liam Casey’s global success has created employment opportunities, not just in Ireland, but for many people across the globe. These, and many other awardees, remind us that true generosity, empathy, innovation, determination and courage is limitless – traversing all boundaries, and recognizing no false barriers.
This year, once again, we have twelve nominees prepared to push the boundaries and travel that extra mile; people whose achievements are a great reminder of our ability, as a people, to not only transcend present difficulties but to realise all of the wonderful possibilities that I believe await us in the years ahead.
I have spoken on many occasions of the need to build together an active, inclusive citizenship; one based on participation, equality and respect for all; of the importance of achieving a society where everyone receives the opportunity to participate at every level and in every way – to be the arrow and not simply the target.
Time and again, as I travel around the country, I am reminded of the great wealth of talent and creativity that our citizens have to offer society and am struck by the strength of character, commitment, and determination that exists in communities across Ireland despite the challenging circumstances we currently face. In fact, one of the great pleasures in my role as President of Ireland is the valuable insight that role has given me into the great spirit of active participation that exists in this country amongst people of all ages.
Cork has been no exception to this. Today, as we celebrate the selection of the Cork Person of the Year I have again been deeply impressed by the great resilience and creativity of the Irish people as represented here by the people of Cork; by their wonderful ability to come together as communities in order to assert themselves as participative and energetic citizens working together towards a better future.
Today is a reminder that, as we work to transform our society we must accept the necessity and power of creative thinking; of moving past the assumptions which have failed us and working together for such a different set of values as will enable us to build a sustainable social economy and a society which is profoundly ethical and inclusive.
In making that transformation, we know that it is necessary to move past the assumptions which have failed us and to work together for such a different set of values as will enable us to build a sustainable social economy and a society which is profoundly ethical and inclusive.
We have retained the wonderful capacity to imagine and realise a world that can be created, can yet be made to happen, that we can make our own history based on all that is best about our Irishness – our creativity, our innovation and our independence of mind.
It is evident, here today, that these qualities are alive and well in Cork, a city and county imbued with a sense of active citizenship and a deep community spirit. I congratulate our nominees and commend you all for taking seriously your role as true citizens who each have an individual role to play in creating and nurturing a vibrant, caring and forward looking society.
Although there can only be one overall winner here today, all of you are citizens of whom we can be very proud. You have been nominated for work and achievements in a broad range of areas including education, business, community, sport and culture and have all given of your time and skills with great generosity and enthusiasm. I thank you for that and commend you on being nominated for this great accolade and for your great achievement in having already been awarded Cork Person of the Month during 2012.
I am delighted to hear that this year, a new award will also be presented to Lord David Puttnam and his wife Lady Patsy Puttnam naming them as honorary Corkman and Corkwoman. They have, for many years, played a central role in helping the artistic community of Cork while also assisting many charitable causes. I congratulate them on receiving this well deserved honour.
Ar deireadh, ba mhaith liom gach rath, san am atá le teacht, a ghuí ar na daoine go léir a raibh baint acu le Gradam Pearsa Chorcaí na Bliana. Tá sé tuillte go maith acu agus ba mhór an sásamh dom a bheith in bhur gcuideachta anseo inniu.
[In conclusion, I would like to wish everyone involved in the Cork Person of the Year Awards, every deserved success in the future. It has been a great pleasure to join you all here today.]
Comhghairdeachas libh ‘s gurb fada buan sibh. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.