Dinner hosted by Governor Kate Warner of Tasmania

Dinner hosted by Governor Kate Warner of Tasmania

Speech by Michael D. Higgins President of Ireland

Government House, Hobart

Saturday, 14th October, 2017

Go raibh míle maith agaibh beirt as an fíorchaoin fáilte sin agus as bhur focail cneasta.

Governor Warner, Mr. Warner, thank you both for your warm welcome to Government House and for your kind words. Sabina and I are delighted to have been invited here during our first visit to Tasmania.

Although we have only been in Australia for a few weeks, I have been repeatedly struck by the many family, cultural, political and economic links between our two countries. There are so many bonds which serve to bring us together.

The strongest link between our two countries is, of course, our people. It is truly remarkable how many Australians can claim Irish ancestry, including from this Apple Isle.

Thousands of Irish citizens have made this country their home over the years. It is good to know that they are doing well and that they are determined to contribute to Australian and Tasmanian society in a positive manner, as many of their compatriots have done over the past few centuries.

The story of the Irish in Australia has turned out to be rich in experience and encouraging of a deep humanity. This may be in spite of its less than auspicious start. Unfortunately, many of the Irish people who came here in the nineteenth century did not always come here of their own volition. The prevalence of references to Tasmania or Van Diemen’s Land in Irish songs and ballads of deportation, exile and emigration is truly striking.

Governor, it was a great honour to join you this afternoon at the unveiling of the “Footsteps” statues by the renowned Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie at Quayside. I thank you most sincerely for your invitation. These statues commemorate the thousands of women and children sentenced to transportation here. Others came here during or after the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s, some sent here, others taken as the foundation of what would be a new colony, yet others searching for new opportunities and a sense of hope and possibility

denied to them at home. In spite of such difficult and traumatic beginnings, many of them, and particularly their descendants, managed to build new lives for themselves here.

The Irish who made their lives here forged a determination to participate fully in their new society. They also brought with them as a strength, hope, a rebellious sense of rights, and the best aspects of Irish culture - a love of music, sport and literature. They built what they sought to be fulfilling lives for themselves and their families and communities.

This is something that has continued to the present day. I am proud of the contribution my compatriots are making to their new home. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities they have been offered, and which they are intent on using so well and sharing with their neighbours, old and new.

Is mian liom mo bhuíochas ó chroí a ghabháíl libh as an fáilte a d’fhear sibh romham féin, roimh Saidhbhín agus roimh ár gcomhthírigh.

In thanking you for your welcome to Sabina and I and to our compatriots, I would like to take this opportunity to raise a toast:

“To Her Majesty the Queen and to the People of Australia.”