Through the inspiration of Vaclav’s words, the courage of his dissidence and the integrity of his leadership, Czechoslovakia successfully transitioned from an authoritarian state to a free democracy at the heart of Europe.
Be proud to be a decent American rather than a wanker whipping up fear.
Now it is time to turn to an older wisdom that, while respecting material comfort and security as a basic right of all, also recognises that many of the most valuable things in life cannot be measured.
I love our shared island, our shared Ireland and its core decency. I love it for its imagination and its celebration of the endless possibilities for our people.
Every age, after all, must have its own aisling and dream of a better, kinder, happier, shared world.
The presidency is an independent office and the Irish people whom I appreciate so much and I take with such responsibility have given a very clear mandate on a very clear set of ideas to me, as the ninth president.
The mandate I have received and for which I will speak with heart and head to implement over the next seven years had its four pillars – an inclusive citizenship, equality and participation and respect in a creative society creating an excellence in everything we Irish do.
I will be a President for all the people, whether they voted for me or not, whether they are young or old and particularly for the Irish abroad. I’m looking forward to it and I think it will be exciting and wonderful.
Ireland has made its choice for the future and it has chosen the version of Irishness it will build. I know, and I will work with head and heart to be part of it with all of you in creating that future one in which all of us can be part of and part of us too.
We need to discuss the basis of a new form of trust built on a meaningful form of citizenship appropriate for a republic.
When I started out, people were afraid of parish priests. Now they’re afraid of newspaper editors.
I am delighted with the strong vote I have received. My message of positive leadership, patriotism and commitment clearly was resonating with tens of thousands of ordinary Irish people.
Making an Irishness to be proud of in a real Republic. It is the vision of a real Republic where life and language, where ideals and experience have the ring of authenticity which we need now as we go forward.
I want to say a very sincere thank you for this welcome home – it is a wonderful welcome home. It is the place to where I return and where I will always return because it is of Galway that I am.
I am delighted to be back home in Galway, the place I first came to as a 19-year-old in 1960. It’s here where my heart is and will forever be.