The ties that bind Ireland and New Zealand have been central to President McAleese's State visit. Deputy Foreign Editor Anthony Murnane reports from Wellington on a memorable day for the city’s Irish Society.
Down a narrow lane-way off a back street in Wellington is where we found the city’s Irish Society. Founded in 1948, it has 225 members and it was a big day for them when President McAleese came to call.
425,000 New Zealanders claim an Irish heritage – 11,000 first generation Irish are living here. They have played a huge role in the country’s short history.
The current Prime Minister Helen Clarke’s mother came from Co Armagh in 1910. Thomas Bracken, a Clones man, composed the country’s national anthem and the first All Blacks captain, Dave Gallagher, was from Ramelton in Co Donegal. 'Pity he didn’t stay' was the President's retort as she delivered a speech to the society.
Its members come from all over Ireland, many of them told of sailing for 31 days to make the trip in the mid 1900s. And many of them like Lillian Mackey (below) from the Liberties in Dublin have never lost their accent. She has been here 40 years.
On this day Lillian and her friends were proud and delighted to get close to the President. There were many handshakes, a few words, all of it making a link to the homes they all left so many years ago.
There were links to the future too when we moved on to Dundedin on the south island and the picturesque University of Otago. Monaghan-born multi-millionaire businessman Eamon Clary is funding the only undergraduate course in Irish Studies in Australia or New Zealand.
It has been running since September focussing on the history, film and theatre of Ireland looking at issues such as identity, ethnicity and nation building.
President McAleese was honoured here with a degree in doctors of law - indeed it was this invitation from Otago in this town with strong Celtic ties to Scotland and Ireland that led to the six-day State visit to New Zealand.
- Anthony Murnane
