REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF GLASSON COMMUNITY AND HERITAGE CENTRE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF GLASSON COMMUNITY AND HERITAGE CENTRE, CO. WESTMEATH ON TUESDAY 19 MAY,1999
Firstly, I’d like to say how nice it is to be in the “Village of the Roses” – on the banks of Lough Ree – a village that is steeped in history – and which has strong connections with the celebrated writer, Oliver Goldsmith. I am told that one of its more recent claims to fame is – as the place where three Dublin clergymen sighted the ‘Lough Ree Monster’ - in May of 1960 – brought the village to World prominence. I don’t want to cast any aspersions on the three clergymen – but I wonder if it was the time of year, the water of Lough Ree, or the ‘hospitality’ of Glasson – that brought on the sighting. Being conscious that this is May – and that the hospitality of Glasson is legendary – I can assure you that – I will be keeping a sharp eye out for ‘monsters’ while I’m here with you today.
We are all here, of course – to open the new Community Heritage Centre – after the restoration of the old schoolhouse by the Glasson community. In restoring the building and grounds to their original splendour – you have breathed new life into a building that had been a key part of the village – the place where many generations of children started their education – and a place that would have left an indelible mark on their lives – as they moved on to further education – and out into the world. You are also preserving part of your own heritage – and in the process - recognising the contribution which Isabella Harris-Temple made to the then community in 1844. I would like to commend you on your vision in keeping those vital links with the past – and in celebrating the impact of a previous generation on your lives today.
Today Glasson is a thriving village – a village that has a purpose – a focus on where is it going - and on what needs to be done. Projects such as this are never easy to complete. But perseverance pays off - and today we are together in a celebration of a great community achievement. It is a sign of a healthy community – where people are prepared to row in - to lend their support and energy for the good of all - where they can pool their resources to work for each other. Embarking on a project such as this involves commitment, dedication and hard work – it involves new partnerships and linkages - between the people of the community - and between the community and outside help such as you have with FÁS - and Westmeath Community Development – through its LEADER Programme. This is what community partnerships are all about. All over Ireland, communities are using the partnership model to focus energy and resources on improving their areas – in making them places of which they can be proud.
I know that your new centre will be used both by the people of Glasson – and the many visitors who come to your village. You already have a number of very active voluntary groups using the centre - and I’m sure that it will inspire and encourage more people to drop by – or more importantly perhaps, to join in! There is no shortage of ideas – and isn’t there one of those law’s of science that says something like “the number of activities in a new Community Heritage Centre centre expands rapidly to fill all the space and time available”! And that is as it should be.
Judging by the time, effort and commitment you have given to get this far, I have no doubt that this will be a living, vibrant Centre long into the future – a credit to the energy and generosity of you, the community of Galsson. In declaring the Centre open - I would like to commend you on what the have achieved.