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Votos de Natal da presidente da Irlanda (inglês e gaélico)
GAÉLICO
Christmas Greetings from President McAleese (Áras an Uachtaráin 2008)It gives me great pleasure to send warm Christmas and New Year greetings to every member of the Irish family at home and abroad and to all Ireland's friends right around the globe.
As this year 2008 comes to a close most of us are reflecting on the great changes and global economic turmoil that have occurred in the latter half of the year. Much of the news that we have received recently in Ireland has been worrisome and we face a more uncertain New Year than we've seen in quite some time.
Nonetheless, it is now more important than ever to view current events through the prism of history's long perspective, to remember the considerable progress that has been achieved in our recent period of remarkable growth and also to take pride in the lasting legacy of peace and reconciliation that has been accomplished on this island. None of these things happened by accident but by commitment and they made this generation Ireland's most capable, problem-solving generation ever.
Facing into the New Year we will need to draw on that generation's skills and our strengths as a nation. Among our best assets are our exceptional traditions of community involvement and voluntary activities, our culture of taking responsibility for one another's wellbeing and of pulling together through difficulties. We also have the solidarity and support that comes from membership of the European Union. With these resources we can muster the confidence to get through the tough times ahead and restore growth and opportunity for all our people.
Christmas is a season of generosity, of gatherings of friends and family, of caring for one another with an even deeper sensitivity. It is our special opportunity to be community to one another and to show our care. I hope everyone will feel cared for this Christmas in some distinctive way that showcases the best and most noble traditions of Irish people everywhere.
To each one of you, whether members or friends of Ireland's large clan, wherever you are, I send my very best wishes for a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful, safe and prosperous New Year.
Mary McAleese (President of Ireland Beannachtaí na Nollag ón Uachtarán)
INGLÊS
Is mór an chúis áthais dom beannachtaí na Nollag agus na hAthbhliana a chur chuig na baill ar fad de theaghlach na nGael sa bhaile agus thar lear, agus chuig cairde na hÉireann ar fud na cruinne.
Agus an bhliain seo 2008 ag druidim chun deiridh tá cuid mhór againn ag meabhrú ar an easordú a tháinig ar chúrsaí geilleagair sa dara leath den bhliain, agus ar na hathruithe móra a tharla dá bharr. Is cúis bhuartha í an nuacht seo do mhuintir na hÉireann, agus beidh an todhchaí sa bhliain nua níos éiginnte ná mar a bhí le tamall maith.
Mar sin féin, tá sé níos tábhachtaí anois ná mar a bhí riamh, go bhféachfaimis ar chúrsaí an lae inniu i gcomhthéacs na staire, agus nach ndéanfaimis dearmad ar an fhorbairt mhór atá déanta againn le roinnt blianta anuas. Ní cóir dúinn dearmad a dhéanamh, ach oiread, ar a bhfuil bainte amach againn ó thaobh na síochána agus an athmhuintearais de ar an oileán seo. Ní de thaisme a tharla na rudaí seo, ach de bharr cur chuige as an ghnách, tuar cinnte go bhfuil an ghlúin seo d'Éireannaigh ar an ghlúin is fearr riamh chun fadhbanna a réiteach.
Tá an scil agus an cur chuige náisiúnta sin ag teastáil go géar anois agus muid ag tabhairt aghaidhe ar bhliain úr. I measc na mbuanna is mó atá ag muintir na hÉireann tá páirteachas forleathan in imeachtaí deonacha pobail, an cúram a thugaimid dá chéile, agus an tarraingt le chéile a dhéanann muid in am an ghátair. Is mór an taca dúinn é fosta ár mballraíocht san Aontas Eorpach. Le hacmhainní láidre mar sin againn beidh muid in ann tabhairt faoi na cora crua seo le muinín, chun fás agus forbairt a chinntiú arís dár bpobal trí chéile.
Is am na féile é aimsir na Nollag, am teacht le chéile gaolta agus cairde, am a dtugann muid aire dá chéile le croí mór maith. Tá deis againn an Nollaig seo cúram a thabhairt agus a thaispeáint do gach duine sa phobal. Tá súil agam go mothóidh gach duine an cúram agus an rannpháirtíocht sin is dual dúinn ar fad sa traidisiún Éireannach.
Chugaibhse ar fad, a mhuintir theaghlach mhór na nGael, agus a chairde na hÉireann, cibé áit a bhfuil sibh, cuirim mo dhea-mhéin agus gach dea-ghuí. Go raibh Nollaig mhór mhaith agaibh, agus bliain úr faoi rath agus faoi shíocháin.
Máire Mhic Ghiolla Íosa (Uachtarán na héireann)
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