“To all of our friends in Irish-America and beyond, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude. Whenever we needed your friendship and encouragement, you were there for us.”
“People with disabilities have abilities too and that is what this course is all about - making sure those abilities blossom and shine so that all the dreams you have can come true.”
“Whatever changes the new era brings, whatever new pathways we take, I am sure that our special relationship with America - forged in adversity, will not change.”
“This child who talks about scattering the seeds of peace over our land has told us from his grave we have to renew and recommit ourselves no matter how much provocation, no matter how much hurt, no matter how much bitterness or anger,”
“Year after year their hearts and homes have opened to those bereaved who came here in sad pilgrimage. Out of such humanity we see the power love has to transcend even the most appalling evil,”
“A life quenched in an untimely manner is always sad, the life of a young person quenched, whatever the circumstances, troubles us deeply. If that death arose through suicide that sense of loss is compounded inexorably. TS Eliot's evocative words serve to underline that awful sense of loss for the potential that was never allowed to fully blossom, for all that might have been but wasn't to be:”
“Very special credit is due to the legendary Ed Ward, Founder and President of Irish Fest and to Jane Anderson, Director of Irish Fest. You both head up a remarkable team and deserve huge credit on this landmark birthday,”
