Introduction
Mayor Bloomberg, Cathaoirleach Ni Cionnaith, a chairde, is mór an onóir dom beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig a ghuí ar gach duine agaibh anseo inniú.
Tá an-áthas orm féin a bheith i bhur gcuideachta anseo i Gracie Mansion, Nua Eabhrac ar an lá speisialta seo.
Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Quinn, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.I’m delighted to be able to join you here in Gracie Mansion for the opening event of what is a very special day for all of us – Irish and New Yorkers alike. And it is a real treat this year that we get to march up 5th Avenue today and still have St. Patrick’s Day to look forward to tomorrow.
This Parade and all of the various events that take place across New York to mark St Patrick’s Day would not and could not happen without the goodwill, and support of Mayor Bloomberg and his team.
Irish in New York/Hurricane Sandy
Mayor, as I am sure you hear from Speaker Quinn from time to time we are indeed proud of the contribution which generations of Irish men and women have made to this city.
The Irish are found in every borough every corner of New York. In previous generations they came heartbroken hungry in search of new life new hope. Today they come in search of opportunity to work in finance, fashion, film.
For the time they are here they make New York a second ‘home’.
When disaster struck in the form of Hurricane Sandy, this extraordinary city began to see for itself just how extraordinary the New York Irish are how at home they feel here. They were extraordinary in their volunteering extraordinary in their generosity extraordinary in their compassion for this their adopted ‘home’.
When our Consulate organised two ‘Irish Days of Action’ your officials made sure to make the most of the 1,500 and more volunteers who arrived in force to lend a hand.
The Irish Government has committed funding of $320,000 to help community projects in the areas worst affected. Mayor under your leadership the people of New York responded magnificently to the impact of Sandy. The response was only inspiring. It was clear that New Yorkers had long ago learned that old lesson.
It’s not your experience but what you do with it that matters. In Ireland we too learned that lesson. We took it to heart.
Irish economy
They say that in life we build reserves. Not just of economic resources but of kindness and affection. It is certainly true in the case of Ireland and America. Your support has been invaluable in our drive for economic recovery.
I’m pleased to say we have made really significant progress since this time last year. Our economy is entering its third consecutive year of growth. Competitiveness is up. Prices and costs have fallen back to 2003 levels.
We are continuing our phased and successful return to the bond markets. International confidence in Ireland has been restored. During second-half 2012 the numbers at work in the economy rose over a six month period for the first time since 2008.
Right now, we hold the Presidency of the European Union leading the drive for competitiveness and job creation across our country and our Union.
The Gathering
If you come visit us you can see for yourselves. As we celebrate St Patrick’s Day I’m delighted to extend a warm and personal welcome to all of you to come ‘home’ to Ireland during the year of The Gathering. This is a year of celebration in which we are inviting the world to join us to experience everything that is unique and wonderful about Ireland. You’ll be spoiled for choice.
Mayor Bloomberg, I know that you have visited my own county Mayo in the past. I hope that trip is suitably imprinted on your memory and that I can welcome you back in the near future to revisit some haunts and perhaps together we might create some new ones.
For many who sought refuge on America’s shores their memories were the only valuables they brought with them. Memories of a rocky beach or of a laneway laden with fuchsia or the bán beside the house that they polished in their minds along with fading images of parents siblings friends. But some of them carried that final memento of home taken from a hearth perhaps given to them by a mother as they went out the door for the last time.
The gift I give to you today is a replica of one such item. An emigrant’s teapot housed in the National Museum of Ireland in Mayo. It is one of a 100 objects contained in a special E-book that is itself Ireland’s gift to America and the world to mark St Patrick’s Day. Speaker Quinn you certainly know how to mark our national day. I look forward to welcoming you home again soon. You have a lively and challenging year ahead but we hope you will be able to squeeze a little time for Ireland.
We greatly value your friendship and devotion to this wonderful city and your connections with Ireland. Please convey my thanks and gratitude to all of your City Councillors.
We’re here to celebrate our national day and who better to do that with than our own all of you.
I wish you and all your families every health and luck and happiness in the year ahead. Until we meet again... may America and Ireland stay in the love and the shelter and the protection of St Patrick.
Have a great time! I look forward to see you over the next few days.