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President Higgins and his wife Sabina with the sculpture of Roger Casement. Photo by Dermot Crean
HUNDREDS of people turned up in Ardfert village on Thursday afternoon to see Ireland’s first citizen perform a very special unveiling.
President Higgins and his wife Sabina came to the village at around 3.20pm on Thursday, after giving the keynote address at the State Commemoration at Banna earlier that morning.
He was there to unveil a sculpture of Roger Casement and to visit the old cathedral. He received a great reception on arrival before Justin Horgan of the Ardfert Development Committee invited him to the podium to say a few words.
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President Higgins spoke of his delight to be in Ardfert on such a day and described Roger Casement’s brief association with the area 100 years ago.
He also spoke of Ardfert’s richness of heritage, with St Brendan The Navigator born nearby. “He founded a monastery in this locality in the 6th century making Ardfert a place of pilgrimage and a great site in Ireland’s spiritual and religious life,” said President Higgins.
President Michael D Higgins with sculptor Joe Neeson after unveiling the bust. Photo by Dermot Crean
He spoke of Casement’s work in exposing the brutality of colonial rule in the Congo and his important role in the Rising. He also read out extracts from Casement’s letters to his sister where he said after landing on Banna strand 100 years ago he felt more happy than he had in a year.
He said Roger Casement’s name will forever be associated with Ardfert and was delighted to unveil the sculpture of a great patriot and champion of human rights.
After receiving a great applause from the crowd, President Higgins unveiled the sculpture in the company of its creator Joe Neeson.
Afterwards, children from Ardfert NS and Scoil Naomh Eirc in Kilmoyley made presentations to the President and his wife, before then making their way from the green area up Ardfert Cathedral stopping along the way to meet the many children who lined the route.
President Higgins and his wife were given a tour of the cathedral and were very impressed. Then it was back into the car and off to Tralee to officially open the Roger Casement Exhibition at the Kerry County Museum. Scroll down for photos…
President Higgins delivering his speech in Ardfert. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Local artist Donal Stack making a presentation to President Higgins. Photo by Dermot Crean
Children from Scoil Naomh Eirc Kilmoyley making a presentation to the President and his wife Sabina. Photo by Dermot Crean
Ardfert NS pupils who made presentations to President Higgins and his wife Sabina. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Pupils meet the President in Ardfert. Photo by Dermot Crean
President Higgins meets local schoolchildren. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Children meet the President in Ardfert. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Belated birthday greetings for President Higgins. Photo by Dermot Crean
President Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina in Ardfert Cathedral. Photo by Dermot Crean
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