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REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE ENNIS ARTS FESTIVAL ON TUESDAY 16 JUNE 1998

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE ENNIS ARTS FESTIVAL ON TUESDAY 16 JUNE 1998

When I look at the themes of previous Arts Festivals in Ennis – like the 400th anniversary of the Spanish Armada – or the death of Brian Boru – I am humbled that my inauguration as President last November should inspire the theme of this year’s Festival – “Building Bridges – Getting Connected”. I feel that I have been put on a new plane – and I can only hope that my term as President will endure as long as the reputation and memory of Brian Boru. Although I hope that I don’t come to the same painful end that Brian is reputed to have had at Clontarf!

Seamus Heaney – writing in The Economist, said the “The kinds of truth that art gives us many, many times are small truths. They don’t have the resonance of an encyclical from the Pope stating an eternal truth, but they partake of the quality of eternity. There is a sort of timeless delight in them.” The Ennis Arts Festival with its extraordinary feast of entertainment in the programme of exhibitions, performances, recitals and readings – which will delight and entertain in a timeless way – and will promote the role of the arts as a focal point for the community – as a point of access and a bridge builder within the community – and as a point of contact with people and communities elsewhere. Featuring artists from Ireland, England and Wales – the festival uses the international language of art as the medium to communicate and connect – and to share some of the “small truths” that Seamus Heaney spoke about.

The festival theme also reflects the town’s designation as the Information Age Town – which will see Ennis leading the way in communications and technology in Ireland - that will give it a heightened role in the global information world – where the ‘small truths’ of the lives and people of Ennis – will add to the rich tapestry of world cultures. Primarily, the festival serves to enrich the lives of the people of Ennis – and the many visitors who will come to enjoy the many activities and events - at a time when we are experiencing a new self-confidence and self-belief – that sees us competing with the best in business and the arts on the international stage. We have all heard considerable mention of the economic renaissance that Ireland is currently enjoying – with greater opportunity and prosperity and improvements in our quality of life. What is also a source of considerable pride is the cultural renaissance that is going hand and hand with a booming economy – with Irish writers, performers and artists competing and performing in the global arena – and putting Irish art and culture firmly in the international eye.

Festivals are unique occasions and have a particular relationship to the lives of towns within Ireland. An arts festival in an Irish town has a very holistic appeal, with the whole population tending to find different activities within its own festival. In this way, arts festivals have become authentic expressions of the particular town – and encourage the individuality and diversity of each town. The Ennis Arts Festival is also promoting the international dimension to art – in involving individuals and groups from other cultures – and building connections through the global medium of art. I want to commend the organisers of the festival on their vision and dedication in staging this year’s festival – which I am assured, is the biggest and the best. I know that it has involved a considerable amount of local voluntary effort – who have committed a great deal of work, time and expense to seeing this come to fruition. I would also like to pay tribute to the many people who have contributed in a material way to the festival – to the Arts Council, the British Council, the local authorities, the Chamber of Commerce, the development agencies and the business and commercial sponsors – all of whom have ensured that the festival will live up to the expectations of the people of Ennis.