A chairde, is mór an onóir dom beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig a ghuí ar gach duine agaibh anseo tráthnóna. Is tá an-áthas orm féin a bheith i bhur gcuideachta anseo i Nua Eabhrac ar an lá speisialta seo.
I’m delighted to join you here at the American Irish Historical Society on the occasion of the 252nd anniversary of the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Dr. Kevin Cahill you and your colleagues always make sure that Ireland has a home on Fifth Avenue.
At the time of the very first St Patrick’s Day Parade here in New York. independence was still a dream for Ireland and America.
251 years later Ireland and America stand tall either side of the Atlantic strong democracies proud republics.
The American political tradition was impacted powerfully by Ireland and the Irish.
In its institutions, its public service, its culture, its arts Ireland is writ large across the American landscape.
On this day in particular it’s written boldly across the landscape of the American heart and soul.
So it is a particular honour to come here today and bring St Patrick’s Day blessings and good wishes to you all.
I extend particularly warm wishes to the Grand Marshall of this year’s Parade Al Smith The Fourth whose family has been so much a part of the story of New York.
Al himself has cherished his Irish heritage.
This act of cherishing has been a key driver of his philanthropy and indeed of all his work that has seen him make such a mark on the life and times of New York.
I congratulate him and his family on today’s honour and thank him for his work.
A chairde, as you know, in this life, family is everything. Especially when times are tough.
And the Irish family extends well beyond our shores to every part of the world.
In every time zone on every continent men, women and children of Irish descent are celebrating St Patrick and their Irish heritage.
They know that Ireland has been through some difficult years.
And I know that they want to help everywhere I go they tell me.
Our Irish family our Diaspora is crucial to our economic recovery.
Particularly ‘our people’ here in America.
You followed the generous example of your forbears and opened your arms to a new generation of arrivals from Ireland you made them feel welcome and at home.
On behalf of the Irish Government and the Irish people I take this opportunity to recognise that great support that warm and sincere welcome offered and sustained by so many Irish organisations here New York from the immigration centres, cultural groups, business networks and sporting Clubs, including the Manhattan Gaels, the newest addition to the GAA network in the city.
Thank you to the members and volunteers who give so freely of their time and of themselves to keep all of these groups and networks so vibrant and dynamic.
When Hurricane Sandy hit this community spirit and pride in action countered it with an almost-equal human force.
Our Consulate was able to bring together the Irish organisations and the two ‘Irish Days of Action’ saw over 1,500 people volunteer to help the affected areas.
On the back of the t-shirts the volunteers wore was emblazoned a single word – in the Irish language - ‘Meitheal’ – meaning in essence ‘I’m here to lend a hand to you today’. No more and no less. What a wonderful example of community spirit at work.
I am looking forward to visiting Breezy Point tomorrow, a community which suffered such devastation and yet, with help from the community and indeed from the Gaelic Players Association, is I believe rebuilding and recovering.
Irish Economy
I am glad to say that there are very positive signs of our efforts ‘at home’ to rebuild our economy.
We are entering its third, consecutive-year of growth.
Competitiveness is returning.
Prices and costs have fallen back to 2003 levels.
We are continuing our successful, phased return to the bond markets.
International confidence in Ireland has been restored.
During the second half 2012 the numbers at work in the economy rose over a six month period for the first time since 2008.
In our current Presidency of the European Union we are driving a crucial agenda of stability, jobs and growth.
Across this Union and this nation over the coming days those with an interest in Irish history will get the chance to look at it in a very exciting way through our
special e –book 'A History of Ireland in 100 objects '.
This publication marks our Presidency of the EU and our year of The Gathering.
This is a fascinating documentation of Ireland’s ancient and modern history told through a 100 significant objects.
It demonstrates that the history of Ireland is a shared history with the peoples of Europe, the United States, and, through our Diaspora, the world.
In conclusion I would like to pay tribute to John Dunleavy, Dr John Leahy and all of the unsung heroes who work so diligently to ensure the success of the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
I hope to meet you back in Ireland during this year of the Gathering. I can assure you a very warm welcome awaits you.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go leir.
ENDS