President Mary McAleese was yesterday honoured for her work in bringing both communities on the island of Ireland closer together when she was awarded the Freedom of Cork by the city council.
Lord Mayor of Cork Deirdre Clune had received the unanimous backing of her fellow councillors with her proposal to honour President McAleese and yesterday, she paid tribute to the President for her work in promoting reconciliation.
"President McAleese's theme of bridge-building, which has been the cornerstone of both her presidencies, has been by any objective measure a tremendous success. We stand, not for the first time, but more tantalisingly with our grasp than ever before, at the brink of the closest accommodation between the communities on our island," said Ms Clune.
"Her tireless work, both in the public eye and more importantly and unreportedly behind the scenes, to make this dream of generations a reality, has not gone unnoticed. At times when people might have lost faith or hope in the process, her resolve, energy and belief in the end goal have been inspirational," she added.
Ms Clune also praised the President for continuing to make the presidency more accessible and inviting to "the marginalised, disenfranchised and excluded" and she singled out, in particular, the welcome she gave those involved in the Special Olympics.
Mrs McAleese said she was deeply honoured to receive such a welcome in Cork before going on to extol the virtues of Corkonians whom, she said, encapsulated much of what is best in the Irish character.
"Cork holds in its soul something that stirs Ireland, something that stirs Irish men and women no matter where they are born and reared. We know that we do not need to be awarded the freedom of the city to feel at home here, to feel part of Ireland's family here, for this is a city with a fáilte and a freedom of spirit that has kept many a poet busy at his or her craft.
"The people of Cork, their love of life, their fidelity to their Irish and European heritage and their openness to the stranger, makes the honour I am receiving here today all the more treasured by me," she said.
"Cork's essence, its willing acceptance of diversity, of change, its characters, its unique soul, its ancient immortal spirit are at its very core - it is a place with personality, with pride, with welcome, with humour - Cork is a place which loves life in all its ups and downs, all its strengths and failings, all its mysteries and revelations.
"As European Capital of Culture in 2005, it displayed its unique verve and panache, and showcased to great effect its genius and its life. All of Ireland took pride in what you achieved because here was shown the very best of what it is to be Irish," she said.
Ms Clune presented a silver casket made by Seán Carroll & Sons Silversmiths to mark the occasion to Mrs McAleese who was accompanied by her husband, Dr Martin McAleese.
Some 19 of the 31 members of Cork City Council attended yesterday's ceremony, as did Cork city manager Joe Gavin, along with local dignitaries, including the Catholic Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin.
Mrs McAleese joins former presidents Eamon de Valera and Mary Robinson who were honoured with the Freedom of Cork while in office and Douglas Hyde who was honoured prior to becoming president.
Other recipients include Charles Stewart Parnell, Dr Woodrow Wilson, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jack Lynch, Senator George Mitchell, John Hume and most recently, Cork sporting heroes, Roy Keane and Sonia O'Sullivan.