Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald spoke to students at New York University’s Glucksman Ireland House while in New York. Students in NYU’s Center for Irish and Irish-American Studies gathered for a special session with Uachtarán Shin Féin where she gave an address and answered questions from the students. Her full remarks are below.
“I am delighted to be here in NYU and in particular to be here at Glucksman Ireland House, a place of academic excellence in the study of Irish history, literature, language and culture. A place where so much great research has happened and so many important discussions have taken place over the years about Ireland, our place in the world, what it means to be Irish at home in Ireland and here in the United States.
“Thank you Professor Kevin Kenny for your kind introduction and I want to thank Loretta Glucksman for her support over many years for the cause of peace in Ireland.
“A good education is a powerful thing. Education is the great equaliser. It provides a window to the world and opportunity. It brought me to Trinity College, Dublin where I studied English Literature. I had the privilege of being taught by the late, great Irish poet Brendan Kennelly. Brendan believed that every beginning is a promise. He wrote,
“Though we live in a world that dreams of ending
That always seems about to give in
Something that will not acknowledge conclusion
Insists we forever begin.”
“A great way to look at life and the world.
“Ireland and the United States. Two nations, two peoples fastened by a shared history held by bonds of friendship and bonds of family. We came to these shores fleeing oppression, famine, and in later generations to seek work and opportunity.
“The United States has been a safe haven for generations of Irish people.
“In return, Irish people made an immense contribution to American society across politics, arts, business, and sports.
“The spirit of the Irish to overcome and the American ideal of liberty create a natural bond that has stood the test of time and been so important at key moments in our history.
“Nowhere was this more important than during our search for peace. Almost thirty years ago a generation of courageous peacemakers in Ireland reached for hope and a better future and decisions taken here in this country were key to the peace agreement which followed. The decision by the Clinton Administration to give a visa to Gerry Adams, the decision to appoint Senator George Mitchell as a Special Envoy and the critical contribution which was made over several years in achieving the historic Good Friday Agreement…
Mary Lou McDonald addresses Irish and Irish-American Studies students at NYU’s Glucksman Ireland House
John O'Brien, Jr.https://www.iirish.us
*John is a Founder and the Publisher and Editor of iIrish; a Founder and Deputy Director of Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival for more than 35 years; an archivist, spokesman, emcee, Spoken Word presenter and author of five books, so far.