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Stay positive about the future, President urges Limerick kids
MEGAN Ryan from Ballincurra Weston needed a little encouragement to present President Mary McAleese with a gift to commemorate her visit to Our Lady of Lourdes Youth Club.
"Sometimes I feel like that too," the President smiled, before Megan bravely stepped up on stage.
President McAleese, a long-time supporter of Limerick's Regeneration programme, was among friends at Our Lady of Lourdes Youth Club on Thursday, and she spoke warmly of her hopes for the community of Ballinacurra Weston.
She engaged the audience by regaling them of the moments before her arrival, when she was brushing her hair in the bathroom of the Clarion Hotel only to be disturbed by her husband who was switching the lights on and off outside the door.
Local people were delighted with the presidential visit and her words of encouragement for 2010.
It is two years since President McAleese launched the vision documents for the Regeneration of Limerick's disadvantaged estates.
Despite feelings of despondency at the lack of progress in the physical regeneration, President McAleese was quick to point out the positive changes that she has seen in the two years that have passed.
"Two years ago we didn't have this place, we didn't have the creche, we didn't have the refurbished youth club so things have moved on, things have happened," she told the Limerick Leader. "I know people are bound to be disappointed. I think disappointment is the mood of the country.
"It's not peculiar to Limerick, though you can understand why Limerick would feel it very especially, particularly with the huge job losses. "So I can understand disappointment but even through that disappointment, good things have been made to happen because people kept focused on what was possible and they have delivered.
"I couldn't get over the change when I came to see Our Lady of Lourdes Youth Club," she admitted. "I remember the first time I went into the building and it was grim. Now with a lot of effort it has been made into a really fine facility for the young people.
"They are enjoying it and they are participating. They are so much more engaged, they are so much more involved."
She said people are thinking 'regeneration' "and, yes, money matters in terms of the physical regeneration but ultimately the most important thing is the internal regeneration of hopes, ambitions and lived lives.
"Let's not start a year full of doom and gloom," she asked, "but look at it the other way. Against the odds, miracles have been created here by hard work and self belief.
"The journey has started, it has well and truly started," the President said.
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Weather for Limerick
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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