REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE BALLINAMUCK VISITOR CENTRE
REMARKS AT THE OPENING OF THE BALLINAMUCK VISITOR CENTRE AND THE LAUNCH OF THE BALLINAMUCK AREA ACTION PLAN
This morning I was in Castlebar, where I was honoured with a Civic Reception by the Urban District Council. While I was there, I recalled the events in August 1798 when General Humbert commanded a joint for of Irish and French - and defeated the Government forces under General Lake at what became know and celebrated as the “Races of Castlebar”. As you well know in Ballinamuck, Humbert’s victory was short lived, because he was defeated here at Ballinamuck – after which the Irish rebels fought on, and in the process, lost five hundred men.
There is scarcely a place in Ireland that wasn’t touched - in some way – by the Rebellion in 1798. It was an event which saw a series of actions in many areas – as people answered the call from the United Irishmen – and echoed what had happened in America and France – in the drive for a new order – a new ideal of republicanism – which would embrace all classes and creeds in ‘liberty, equality and fraternity’.
What was happening in Ireland during the 1790’s was very much linked to those events on the international stage – and a part of the popular movement towards greater democracy. The United Irishmen drew on those events for inspiration – and promoted the idea of a non-sectarian, democratic and inclusive politics - which could attract and sustain all Irish people in all their inherited complexities. Rather than grimly clinging to a divisive past, they sought to create a shared future. As they stated in their first declaration of principle - “We have thought much about our posterity, little about our ancestors”. In that process they succeeded in uniting Dissenter, Anglican and Catholic in a common political mission.
The events of 1798 echo to this day – and have only recently been recalled in the context of the Good Friday agreement – where the Republicanism and Loyalism of today – have their roots in that eventful period in this island’s history. The 1790’s is perhaps the pivotal decade in the evolution of modern Ireland – and because of that – the ’98 Rebellion - which precipitated the Act of Union in 1800 – and the divisions in Ireland along religious, political and ethnic lines - has continued to be invoked in Irish politics ever since.
This new Visitor Centre deals with the 1798 Rebellion as it affected this area – and explains in an impressive series of panels the historical context of the battle. I want to pay tribute to Ballinamuck Community Enterprise Society for what they have done in portraying and commemorating the last major battle of the Rebellion. In locating the Centre here in the old RIC barracks – you have given the building a new lease of life – and putting it to work for the community in a different context to that which it was originally intended. The display will be of tremendous to scholar and tourist alike – and will bring a renewed sense of heritage to the people of Ballinamuck.
Ballinamuck Community Enterprise Society has been working solidly since it was established in 1994 – completing a parish survey – working with FÁS – employing a Manager – twinning with Essert, Humbert’s birthplace – and organising conversational French classes for the people of Ballinamuck, so that they can host visitors from Essert next month. This is in addition to the tremendous work that they have done on the Visitor Centre – and to the preparation of the Ballinamuck Area Action Plan which they have drawn up with University College Dublin – with funding from Longford Community Resources Ltd.
The process of formulating the plan has given the community here a chance to become directly involved in determining their own future – and the development of community facilities. It represents a considerable commitment at local level – and a willingness to build on your achievements to go on to even more exciting things. That is the real benefit of local partnerships – where communities realise their own capabilities – harness their talents and energies – and work with others to maximise the return on investment of time and resources – and focus effort and energy on the attributes of the local area that will yield the best results for the community as a whole. It is real empowerment at local level – and it has been transforming Ireland over the last number of years. Through your partnership with voluntary and statutory bodies – and with others who have an interest in working with and for Ballinamuck – you are building a community will endure. This Action Plan and the Visitor Centre are just examples of what you can do as Ireland continues to prosper into the next century.
In launching the Action Plan and opening the Visitor Centre – I want to congratulate everybody who has been associated with them – and to wish the community of Ballinamuck continued success and prosperity as you work together to meet the changing needs and requirements that a fast moving and prosperous society brings with it. You have done extremely well over the last four years – and you can build on your successes to reach even great heights in the future.