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REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF KILCORNAN CENTRE GARDEN ON WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE 19

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF KILCORNAN CENTRE GARDEN ON WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE 1998

I know that Helga Klein has spent a considerable number of hours praying for good weather for this afternoon’s official opening of “An Gairdin” – and she has been holding her breath over the last couple of days in the hope that the sunshine wouldn’t turn to rain. I can assure you Helga that you were not alone in your prayers and hopes in that regard!

- Whatever about the prospects for the weather – I was absolutely delighted to get an opportunity to visit the Kilcornan Centre - and to meet with the clients, the parents - and the hard-work staff – at this truly magnificent place. Kilcornan is unique I think because of the great spirit of love and learning – the great care that the parents, carers and staff have for those who come here to be part of this community – and to be given the skills to be part of their own communities. It is a great tribute to those who give of their time and energy so generously – spending their time helping people to learn about themselves – to look after themselves – and to take their place in society. You are very lucky to have so many people who are prepared to lend their help and support – to work at making Kilcornan a warm and friendly place – a village community that cares for the people who come here.

- Great praise must be given to the enormous role played by the Brothers of Charity who came here in 1952 – and have been providing a service which promotes a Christian environment in which they – along with their co-workers, the people who use the services, their families, their friends and other members of society – form a caring community – a community in which personal dignity is respected – and based on the relationship needs of those whom they serve. The Brothers – who are a worldwide congregation originating in Belgium – having been founded there in 1807 by Canon Peter Joseph Triest – provide a wide range of services – and have recently extended their work to Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire, the Philippines, Peru and Sri Lanka.

- Their Centre here at Kildornan was the first in the West of Ireland – and has a number of facilities available to its clients – with a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a steam room and a multi-sensory room. Today we are adding to those facilities in opening the newly developed outdoor leisure are – “An Gairdin”. I would also like to pay particular tribute to FÁS – under whom this Community Employment Scheme has been working on “An Gairdin” since August 1996 – restoring the original 19th century walled garden – which had also used as a horticultural training area for people with learning disability. Indeed the hand of FÁS is to be seen in many places throughout the country – as they work in partnership with community groups on projects which are transforming people’s lives in villages, towns and cities. This project is yet another success story for FÁS – and one worthy of tremendous credit.

- The success of Kilcornan is really a combination of a great deal of effort by a number of organisations and people. It is a ‘partnership’ between the Provincial Administration of the Brothers of Charity Services, the Department of Health, the Western Health Board, the staff, the carers, the parents - and the many others who help.

- In any centre like Kilcornan, there is an emphasis on education – teaching people to take their place in society – and to use their talents to do the best of their ability – learning how to deal with the challenges and obstacles that life puts in their way. It is about developing the mind – and about releasing talents. The teachers and carers – and the parents and families – work hard to help in that process. I want to pay a particular tribute to them for what they do – and for the loving and caring that they give in keeping with the ethos of the Brother of Charity.

- You have a wonderful place here – a place to learn and to be happy. It takes a lot of work and commitment to keep a centre like this going – and a lot of dedication and care. I hope that “An Gairdin” will open new horizons for all who use it – and continue to make Kilcornan a community to be a part of.