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Presentation to Notre Dame |
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Written by MD
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Monday, 12 December 2011 00:00 |
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It is a great honour for me to be here today for the presentation of the Certificate of Irish Heritage to Coach Kelly.
When I take students from Notre Dame who are spending a semester in Dublin around Leinster House, the home of the Irish Parliament, the high point of the tour is the flag of the 69th Irish brigade The Original Fighting Irish.
During his June 1963 address to the Parliament, when he presented the flag to the people of Ireland, President Kennedy spoke about the Irish Brigade saying "the 13th day of December, 1862, is a day long remembered in American history. At Fredericksburg, VA. men fought and died on one of the bloodiest battlefields of the American Civil War. One of the most brilliant stories of that day was written by a band of 1200 men who went into battle wearing a green sprig in their hats. They bore a proud heritage and a special courage, given to those who had long fought for the cause of freedom".
Of the 1200 men of the Irish Brigade who took part in that assault, 280 survived the battle.
The future president of Notre Dame, Father Corby was the Chaplin of the Irish brigade, on the Heights of Fredricksberg. Fr Corby gave comforting words to the dying sons of Ireland who gave their all for their adopted country.
The Certificate is an official recognition by the Irish Government of those who are proud of their Irish Ancestry and their Irish Heritage.
The descendants of those who left the shores of that Emerald Isle on the twilight edge of Europe made an enormous contribution to societies and communities all over the world. This was epitomised in the presenting of the first Certificate of Irish Heritage to Bridget Hunter, the mother of September 11th hero, fire-fighter Joe Hunter, by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore on the 19th of September 2011. Joe Hunter was last seen heading into the World Trade Centre in an effort to rescue victims of the 9/11 attacks. Fireman Hunter was following the example of the Bravery and Courage of the Irish Brigade, and he too gave his all for his adopted country.
When Coach Kelly's Great grandfather Eugene Kelly left the shores of Ireland, he left with little other than a strong religious faith, a proud heritage and a strong desire to contribute to his new home. The Kelly family have displayed the same courage and bravery shown by so many Irish who came to the United States. They have also contributed to their new home. This commitment to the United States is seen in Coach Kelly's fathers long services as an alderman on the Chelsea City Council, in Massachusetts.
Coach Kelly on behalf of the people of Ireland, those at home and the 70 million around the world, it is a distinct and great honour to be here for the presentation of the 3rd Certificate of Irish Heritage to you.
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