President’s Visit
The following was reported in the Nationalist covering the event.
Presidential welcome at Tullow Day Care Centre
“I’D SAY you all have great craic here,” smiled President Mary McAleese, as she cheerfully breezed through the doors of Tullow Day Care Centre last Thursday afternoon. And then as if to further confirm this, the President spied a poster on the wall: “We’re not senior citizens, we’re recycled teenagers,” She read this out, much to the amusement of all in Tullow Day Care Centre.
The President’s visit to the centre last Thursday afternoon fulfilled a promise she made to the centre three years earlier to visit. True to her word, all were delighted that, despite her busy schedule, Tullow Day Care Centre was high on her agenda.
There to welcome the President were members of the board of management, staff and most importantly the people who use the centre and thoroughly enjoyed Tullow Day Care Centre’s new facilities.
Fr Willie Byrne, CC Tullow, spoke of how on a recent visit to Áras an Uachtaráin the elderly from the Day Care Centre who travelled, offered an invitation to the President to visit the centre. He expressed the gratitude felt by all that the President had kindly accepted this invitation.
The President spoke of the many changes users of the Day Care Centre had experienced and the sacrifices they had made to provide such a vibrant and progressive centre for today’s generations.
“You are a generation that deserve a lot of thanks and this centre in a small way gives something back for the many gifts you have given us,” she said.
The President recalled a saying she had once heard which encapsulated this sentiment:
“Those would drink the water should remember those who dug the well.
“I hope you feel this centre is in some way the people who drink the water saying thank you,” she smiled.
The President spoke of the fantastic team and community spirit evident in Tullow Day Care Centre. She congratulated the wonderful team of staff and volunteers who fulfilled the dream of providing such a centre to the people of Tullow, through their tireless work.
In particular she recalled the work of the late Sr Mercedes whose vision it was, almost 20 years ago, to provide a place where the people of Tullow could come to enjoy each other’s company and avail of the services they require.
“Sr Mercedes is remembered today with great fondness. She was an example of people who get stuck in and do the work,” the President praised.
Mrs McAleese admired the wonderful facilities of Tullow Day Care Centre and paid tribute to all who had helped make the rebuilding work happen.
“It’s marvellous to see the range of services available here and they deserve a big thank you to all who make them happen.”
Addressing the elderly she said, “you know you are coming to a place where people love and respect you.”
The President joked about the polishing and tidying that must have gone on in expectation of her visit.
“My daughter says to me that a visit from the President is worse than getting a visit from your mother to your bedroom,” she said, much to the amusement of her audience.
Ms Bernie Cunnane, on behalf of the board of management, extended a sincere word of gratitude to the President. She said her visit was an honour and an affirmation and a great boost to all in Tullow Day Care Centre. Bernie also remembered the late Sr Mercedes who she said “would have loved to have been here today”. “She was a visionary 20 years ago and this building is a tribute to her,” she said.
Presentations were then made to the President by two of the people attending Tullow Day Care Centre since its very beginning, Paddy Keating and Mary (Cullie) Cullen.
The President and her husband, Martin, then walked around the centre and had a word with the many staff members and the elderly who use the service regularly. For everyone she met, she had a kind word, a laugh and a note of encouragement.
