President of Ireland Christmas message 2007

Message from the President

Christmas Greetings from President McAleese

As the winter evenings draw in, we gather family and friends about us to celebrate again "the moment when Before turned into After", when the birth of a child in Bethlehem changed the world.

This Christmas in Ireland things have changed. The long frustrating "before" of peace making has give way to the joyful, hope-filled "after" of peace made. Irish people along with our many friends throughout the world see in this Christmas, the most optimistic Christmas for many a long year.

The most successful problem-solving generation in our history has transformed the story of modern Ireland and so with the return of devolved government to the north of Ireland in May this year and with the perceptible shift from conflict to consensus we are experiencing an unparalleled confluence of peace and prosperity. It opens up the prospect of a brilliant future for all the people who share the island of Ireland, in fact the best future ever.

We think with gratitude and affection of our large and proud emigrant family, scattered all over the world, among them some who are undocumented in the United States. For them and for their families here at home Christmas can be an especially lonely time. We think too of our aid workers, missionaries and diplomats along with our servicemen and women who are spending this season far from home, often in tough and dangerous places in order to promote a fairer and better world.

More and more of Ireland's citizens do not share the Christian faith of the majority but we hope that they will enjoy the spirit of kindness and goodwill which is the very essence of this season. I hope that spirit reaches deep into the lives of all those who are bereaved, or ill, or feeling left out.

Today's Ireland is characterised by a rightful impatience to do things better and to make things better. Each one of us has the opportunity to make this Christmas season good for ourselves, our families, our neighbours, friends and our community. Let's ensure that no act of ours ruins Christmas for anyone.

For over 2000 years the story of the infant Jesus' birth has called people to gentleness and to consideration for one another. These things are the best gifts we can give and they cost nothing. Enjoy them and enjoy Christmas because of them.

Martin joins me in wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and a peaceful, safe and prosperous New Year.

Beannachtaí na Nollag ón Uachtarán

Agus muid anois ag druidim le dúluachair an gheimhridh bailíonn muid le chéile mar theaghlaigh agus mar chairde le go ndéanfaidh muid ceiliúradh ar thráth sin an athchló, tráth a raibh deireadh le “Roimhe” agus tús le “Ina Dhiaidh”, tráth a rugadh páiste i mBeithil, naíonán a chuir an domhan as riocht go hiomlán.

Tá athruithe móra in Éirinn faoi Nollaig na bliana seo. Tá deireadh leis an “Roimhe” - an díráthú sin a bhain le síorlorg na síochána. Céad fáilte roimh an tráth “Ina Dhiaidh”, tráth an Ghairdis, tráth na Síochána. Feictear do mhuintir na hÉireann, agus do chairde na hÉireann ar fud na cruinne gurb é seo an Nollaig is dóchasaí a bhí againn le fada fada an lá.

Tá scéal na hÉireann curtha as riocht go hiomlán, a bhuíochas sin don ghlúin is fearr fadhb-réiteach riamh i stair na tíre. Le rialú an Tuaiscirt tiomnaithe anois do mhuintir an Tuaiscirt ó Bhealtaine na bliana seo, agus leis an athrú ó chaismirt go comhaontú, tiocfaidh bláth ar an tsíocháin, agus ’sé rathúnas an t-ainm a bheas ar an bhláth sin. Todhchaí gheal mar nach raibh riamh ag ár sinsir.

Le cion agus le buíochas a smaoiníonn muid ar na baill sin de theaghleach domhanda na nGael atá scaipithe ar fud na cruinne, cuid acu gan taifead sna Stáit Aontaithe. Dóibh siúd, agus dá muintir sa bhaile, beidh an Nollaig seo dian agus uaigneach. Smaoiníonn muid fosta ar ár gcuid oibrithe deonacha, ár misinéirí, ár dtaidhleoirí, ár muintir atá ar dualgas thar lear leis na seirbhísí slándála agus na fórsaí cosanta. Iad ar fad i bhfad ó bhaile an Nollaig seo, agus cuid acu dá gcur féin i gcontúirt chun Cothrom na Féinne a bhaint amach dóibh siúd nach bhfuil sé acu.

Tá líon na nÉireannach nach Críostaithe iad ag dul i méid an t-am ar fad. Tá súil agam go mbainfidh siad tairbhe as spiorad na carthanachta agus na síochána atá mar dhlúthchuid den ráithe speisialta seo. Tá súil agam fosta go rachaidh an spiorad sin fá chroí ár muintire atá tinn, atá ar an imeall nó atá ag caoineadh na marbh.
Nollaig Faoi Shean Agus Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise

Irish Forums Message Discussion :: President of Ireland Christmas message 2007

President of Ireland Christmas message 2007