VIDEO: State must protect island life and culture, says President

President Michael D Higgins has stressed the need for the State to protect and sustain the life and culture of Ireland’s islands.

He was speaking yesterday during his first official visit to sun-drenched Cape Clear, eight miles off the Cork coast.

During his term as minister for arts, culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins had put in place a policy which provided support to Ireland’s 30-plus island communities, now represented today by the Irish Islands Federation.

President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins during his visit to Colaiste Phobail Cléire on Cape Clear. Pictures :Dan Linehan

The federation, representing almost 2,900 people, had marked on Cape Clear last year the 30th anniversary of its foundation.

“I am delighted to say that many of the proposals in the areas of access, education and agriculture which I published in a report in 1995 were, and continue to be, enacted,” he told Cape Clear residents and visitors.

“Ireland’s islands are an important part of our heritage and we must be careful to protect and sustain them.

“The Irish State must ensure that island communities are given the necessary support to maintain this living part of our heritage and to provide employment, education and a quality of life to those who inhabit them.

President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins with student Cait Ni Athairne at Colaiste Phobail Cléire on Cape Clear. Pictures :Dan Linehan

“During my presidency it is my intention to prioritise visiting our island communities.”

Mr Higgins, accompanied by wife Sabina, spent several hours on the gaeltacht island meeting local residents and some 170 students who are attending the island’s two Irish language colleges.

The island’s ability to sustain two such colleges over several years was proof of the vibrancy of Cape Clear, he said.

The President and his wife at the Heritage Centre and Museum as they look at the wheel from Taurima 11 which was owned by Charles J Haughey and sank off Mizen Head on the Spetember 29, 1985.

He visited the island heritage centre and was entertained by the musicians and dancers of Scoil Náisiúnta Inis Chléire who composed a piece of music, Fáilte an Uachtaráin, in his honour.

Island poet and writer Chuck Kruger read a short poem before the President officially unveiled a new permanent art piece — six panels of stained glass depicting island life — by artist Catherine Ryan.

Máirtín Ó Méalóid, head of the island’s co-op Comharchumann Chléire Teo, said Cape Clear was delighted the President visited.

Students welcome the President to Coláiste Phobail Cléire on Cape Clear. Pictures :Dan Linehan

“Cape Clear is Ireland’s southern-most community and is unique in West Cork in that it is a Gaeltacht island.

“The president’s visit recognises the important contribution that island culture, heritage and lifestyle makes

to the nation. And it recognises the vibrancy of our own community.”

Some of the islanders enjoy the Irish dancing at Club Chleire during the visit of President Michael D Higgins to Cape Clear, in West Cork.

The President’s visit to the West Cork region continues today when he unveils a Per Cent for Art project as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations at Gaelscoil Mhichíl Uí Choileáin in Clonakilty this morning.

He is then due to officially open Uillinn, the West Cork Arts Centre, in Skibbereen, this afternoon before officially opening the redeveloped O’Donovan Rossa Memorial Park in the town to mark the 100th anniversary of the patriot’s death