REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE ST.MARY’S CATHEDRAL, TUAM, CO. GALWAY
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE ST.MARY’S CATHEDRAL, TUAM, CO. GALWAY
Firstly, I would like to say how happy I am to be back in Tuam again and to receive this very warm welcome. It doesn't seem so long since I was visiting just after my Inauguration - the Tuam Travellers Project and found such a hearty welcome and such a very hard working and caring community. I am very grateful to Dean Ian Corbett for inviting me back to Tuam and here to St. Mary’s – and for giving me this opportunity to be associated with your commemoration of Ruairi O’Connor – the last High King of Ireland and whose family had such a significant impact on the fortunes of Tuam. I know that you had a very successful Festival last month and that the final event in the calendar is the Celtic Spirituality school held here in St. Mary’s this week-end.
Last week, I hosted a unique reception in the Áras for the “Twelfth” – in commemoration of the landmark battle in our history – the victory of King William of Orange over the Catholic forces of King James – a victory that heralded an end to the old Gaelic order in Ireland and lamented in the meaningful poetry of the last great Bardic poet Dáibhí Ó Bruadair - whose death in 1698 is also coincidentally being commemorated this year. That process of change had in fact started over five hundred years earlier when Dermot Mac Murrough “invited” the Normans to invade - shortly after which, Ruairi O’Connor ceased to be High King - when Henry II assumed the title of Lord of Ireland. No doubt both Dáibhí Ó Bruadair and Ruairí O'Connor would be impressed as men of arts by the profound cultural renaissance energising today's Ireland. They might also be impressed by the economic and political energy of modern Ireland.
This year – the 800th anniversary of the death of Ruairi O’Connor – the “City of Tuam Festival” has successfully commemorated the life of the last High King and, through a series of lectures, pageants, plays and other performances, has rekindled an interest in that period of our history – and the people and events surrounding Ruairi O’Connor at that critical time. The important thing about such a festival is that it re-awakens interest in the past – in the legacy of the people and events of an era which is still reflected in the places and place-names of today – yet of which many people may be are unaware. In that interesting and enlightening process, it reinforces the sense of identity and belonging that people have – in and to their place – and engenders a culture of pride and respect that can be harnessed to ensure that its historic past is preserved and nurtured.
In the history of Tuam, Ruairi O’Connor was a relative newcomer. Tuam’s importance goes back a further 700 years to when St. Jarlath – the man who is reputed to have performed 300 genuflections every day and night - founded the first monastery here in the sixth century. The evidence of its long religious significance and lineage can today be traced through the remains of many ancient buildings around the town. In the century from 1120 there appear to have been a series of major building projects undertaken with the support of the O’Connors – with four high crosses – a castle – a cathedral – and two monasteries. The O’Connor’s patronage and support for the religious community at Tuam is evidenced by the fact that Turlough O’Connor, Ruairi’s father, commissioned the famous and magnificent Cross of Cong for the monastery at Tuam.
Tuam’s religious significance continued over the centuries and there are now two nineteenth-century cathedrals in the town – which is in fact an ‘ecclesiastical city’. The town – or city – also became a major centre of education – which is reflected today in the unusually high number of schools in the town that can trace their origins back to that ‘golden age’ that Tuam enjoyed. Indeed, at one point it was hoped to establish one of the Queen’s Colleges here – but Galway won out in that contest! While the full Irish name of the town “Tuaim Dá Gualainn” – ‘the mound of the two shoulders’ - is thought to refer to the mound with two steep sides cut on either side of the old ford on the River Nanny – the two cathedrals today are very much the ‘two shoulders’ of the town on which its people rely for their spiritual support.
Today, Tuam serves as a commercial centre for East Galway – and as a point of access for travellers from Roscommon, Sligo and places further afield. Its emphasis is now more on industry and commerce than on education – and it has suffered from setbacks such as the closure of the sugar factory. But the people of Tuam are resourceful and willing to meet change – and to turn challenges into opportunity. One of its more successful exports in recent years has been the ‘Saw Doctors’ – a group of young energetic and dynamic young people who reflect a new spirit of enterprise and self-confidence that is transforming Ireland today. Clearly that spirit is very much alive in Tuam – a town that has matured and that can look back at its history and heritage with pride. The people of Tuam are fortunate to have such forward-looking religious and civic leaders – people who can provide the guidance and encouragement to move forward as a community that has pride in its place. Tuam was once the place to which all of Ireland looked for leadership. There is today a determination here to make this place a dynamic centre of gravity - a place fully benefiting from - and contributing to - today's Ireland and its story of success built on endeavour and imagination.
I want to commend everybody who has been associated with the commemoration of Tuam’s historical legacy – and who has worked to make Tuam what it is today. I have no doubt that the town’s significance and importance as a commercial, civic and religious centre will blossom in the years ahead so that in the centuries to come - the name of Tuam will inspire pride and determination in all those who struggle to secure a healthy, happy and prosperous community where there is genuine hope for all people.