| OH, WHAT A DAY!  IRISH
President Mary McAleese has praised the part played by the Irish in Britain
and predicted a bright future for the community.
Her words came as she was welcomed to London by the British Council where
she gave a moving lecture on the Changing faces of Ireland.
The first Head of State and the first woman ever to give the annual lecture
for the Council Mrs McAleese spoke of how Ireland is living through the
most exciting and hope-filled period in its history.
She said only a short while ago Ireland was characterised by people emigrating.
“Their going was a tragedy and a defeat,” she said. “Families
were left heartbroken, and communities throughout Ireland were left stagnant
as the emigrant boats and planes robbed them of their youth.”
But pointing to the changed modern time and quoting Seamus Heaney’s
poem Canton of Expectation she said: “And next thing, suddenly,
this change of mood. Books open in the newly wired kitchens…”
Mrs McAleese went on to talk about the European Union’s support
of Ireland and the resulting new opportunities.
An educated, flexible, young workforce has grown in Ireland a workforce
which is now able to remain at home and use their talents to benefit an
Irish economy.
Praising the success of Irish emigrants who have achieved great things
away from home she said: “We have lived long enough to see our own
exiles and their children power their way through every sphere and profession.”
The Irish Post also took the opportunity to speak exclusively to the President
about what the future holds for the Irish in Britain and her own plans
for when she finishes her final term as President of Ireland.
n See full interview page 7. |
