President of Ireland speaking in Gaelic (St. Patrick's Day Message)

Her Excellency Mary McAleese addressing everyone on the Great Island of Ireland in her St. Patrick's Day Message, 2008.

A Soilse, Uachtarán na hÉireann Máire Mhic Giolla Íosa ag caint le achan duine ar oileán na hÉireann, 2008.

Speech:

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ar chlann mhór dhomhanda na nGael, sa bhaile agus ar fud na cruinne, ar ár lá náisiúnta ceiliúrtha féin.

Ta ríméad orm beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig a chur ar gach duine atá páirteach i gceiliúradh na bliana seo, is cuma cé acu in Éirinn nó thar sáile atá siad. Tugann ceiliúradh na Féile Pádraig deis ar leith dúinn ár naisc oidhreachta agus ceana a threisiú le clann dhomhanda na nGael, agus lenár gcairde ar fud an domhain. Is léiriú iontach é ar an lúcháir sin na beatha atá ag na Gaeil, agus is mó an chúis atá againn ceiliúradh a dhéanamh i mbliana ná mar a bhí le tamall de bhlianta. Cuireadh fáilte roimh an déabhlóidiú rialtais arís i dTuaisceart Éireann, agus tá tús á chur anois le ré nua ar oileán na hÉireann, a thugann geallúintí síochána, ratha agus comhpháirtíochta dúinn uile. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil libh go léir as an tacaíocht agus an spreagadh a thug sibh dúinn le linn ár dturais fhada dheacair go dtí an pointe comhaontaithe seo. Níl aon cheist faoi ach go bhfuil an barr feabhais le teacht fós!

Ta súil agam go mbainfidh na hinimircigh nua iomadúla chun na hÉireann, a bheidh ag ceiliúradh inár gcomhluadar i mbliana, inspioráid ón imirceach sin ba mhó tionchar ar fad, Naomh Pádraig féin. Ta a ainm agus ainm na hÉireann ceangailte go dlúth lena chéile sa lá atá inniu ann, agus éiríonn a chlann níos flúirsí agus níos ilchineálaí gach bliain. Guím gach rath oraibh go léir ar an ócáid ceiliúrtha seo na Féile Pádraig 2008. Bainigí taitneamh as, cibé áit a bhfuil sibh! Go gcuire Naomh Pádraig a bheannacht de shíor ar oileán na hÉireann agus ar a mhuintir.

Speech translated:

Blessings upon every person who is a member of the worldwide Irish family, whether at home or abroad, on our national holiday.

I am delighted to send St Patrick's Day greetings to all those taking part in this year's celebrations, whether at home in Ireland or around the world. St Patrick's festival is our special opportunity to deepen and celebrate the bonds of heritage and affection which link the global, Irish family and its friends worldwide. It is a great showcase of the Irish love of life and this year, more than any in our recent past, is one to savour with special joy. The welcome return of devolved government to Northern Ireland has brought to the island of Ireland a promising era of peace, prosperity and partnership. Thank you for all the support and encouragement you invested in our long, hard journey to this time of concord. There can be little doubt that the best is yet to come!

I hope that the many new immigrants to Ireland who will be joining the celebrations this year will take inspiration from the most influential immigrant of them all, St Patrick himself. Today his name and that of Ireland are synonymous and each year as we gather in his honour, we can see the widening global reach and richly diverse character of his extensive family. To each one of you I wish a wonderful St Patrick's Day 2008. Enjoy it wherever you are! May St Patrick long continue to bless you, his beloved Ireland and her people.