THE President, Mrs McAleese, has extended warmest greetings for 1999 to all on this "the last St Patrick's Day of the second millennium."
She described it as a particularly special day for Ireland and the Irish family throughout the world, with this country standing on the brink of "an era of unprecedented cultural confidence, prosperity and peace".
These were times "when hope, hardearned hope, abounds", she said. It was truly a day when we could share with others all that is best about Ireland. As the new millennium approached we were offered a rare opportunity for reflection.
It was "a chance to celebrate the extraordinary contribution Irish people have made to the countless countries where they have settled and made their homes throughout the world."
In doing so we should not forget the sometimes sad and difficult history which caused them to leave this island, she said. She referred to the great waves of people who left Ireland down the centuries from the Flight of the Earls, through the Famine, to the haemorrhage of emigration this century.
She said: "We particularly celebrate the fact that at last, after much pain, prayer and political effort, the people of this island now have within their grasp the best opportunity for a lasting peace that we have ever known."
On the same theme, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell, in his St Patrick's Day message, appealed for prayers "at this vitally important moment for the success of the peace process in Northern Ireland".
