Clare Museum Break News Ground In Kilrush

'From There To Here: The State Visits Of The Hillery Presidency' has been relocated to Kilrush from The Sweeney Memorial Library in Kilkee, where it had attracted hundreds of people since it went on display in June.

According to John Rattigan, Curator, Clare Museum, "The exhibition's move to Kilrush forms part of Clare Museum's expansive outreach work programme. This programme is based on social inclusion and ensuring that everyone in County Clare is able to celebrate Clare's rich and varied heritage. Although Clare Museum is based in Ennis, our countywide service has already enabled the people of Ennis, Shannon and Kilkee to visit the Dr. Hillery exhibition on their doorstep."

Commenting on the exhibition, Mr. Rattigan said, "Since the summer of 2000, Clare Museum has received in instalments, a large collection of presentations and gifts made to Dr Patrick Hillery while carrying out his public duties during a political career, which spanned from 1951-1990. These now form part of one of the most successful exhibitions ever hosted by Clare Museum."

"Although space limitations mean that some artefacts cannot be displayed on this occasion, most of the objects from the exhibition can be viewed on line at Kilrush Public Library, where there is free access to the Clare Museum website", he explained.

Mr. Rattigan added that the booklet that accompanied the original exhibition has also been made available to members of the public in Kilrush.

Dr. Hillery welcomed over a dozen heads of State to Ireland during his two terms of Presidency. They included Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (1978); His Excellency Francois Mitterand, President of France (1988); The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan (1985); His Excellency Chaim Hertzog, President of Israel (1985); His Excellency Daniel Ortega, President of Nicaragua (1989); Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (1990); His Excellency Dr. Carl Carstens, President of the Federal Republic of Germany (1980); and His Holiness Pope John Paul II (1979).

The former President made a similar number of official visits abroad. They included attending the funerals of Yugoslavia’s President Tito (1980); USSR Presidents Bresnev (1982), Andropov (1984) and Chernenko (1985); Egyptian President Sadat (1981); Princess Grace of Monaco (1982); and Emperor Hirohito of Japan (1989).

He also made officially visits abroad to address the Parliamentary Assembly Of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg (1985), accept the Robert Schumann Gold Medal in Metz (1986), attend the Bicentennial Celebrations of the French Revolution (1989), and attend the enthronements of Pope John Paul I (1978) and Pope John Paul II (1978).

Other countries visited by Dr. Hillery during State Visits were India (1978), Tanzania (1980), Bahrain (1980), Denmark (1983), New Zealand (1985), Australia (1985), Austria (1986) and China (1988).

Today, Dr Hillery resides in Dublin with his wife, Maeve.

'From There to Here: the state visits of the Hillery Presidency' is now open to the public and may be viewed at Kilrush Public Library during the following times: 10a.m-1.30p.m, 2.30p.m-5.30p.m on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 10am-1.30p.m, 2.30pm-8pm, on Wednesday and Friday; and 10am-2pm on Saturday.

For further information contact John Rattigan at 065-6823382. For more on Clare Museum log on to www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/claremuseum/index.htm.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- John Rattigan, Curator, Clare Museum is available for interview and can be contacted at 065-6823382 or 087-2065404. Alternatively, please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- Patrick John Hillery was born on 2 May 1923, in Miltown Malbay, County Clare. The son of Michael Joseph Hillery and Ellen McMahon, he attended Miltown Malbay National School before going on to Rockwell College for his secondary education. At third level he attended University College Dublin and when he graduated, with a degree in medicine in 1947, he returned to Miltown Malbay where he worked as a doctor, like his father had done before him. First elected at the 1951 General Election as a Fianna Fáil TD for Clare, he remained in Dáil Éireann until 1973. During this time he served as Minister for Education (1959-1965), Minister for Industry & Commerce (1965-1966), Minister for Labour (1966-1969) and Minister for External Affairs (1969-1973). In 1973 he was appointed Ireland's first European Commissioner, serving until 1976 when he was appointed President.

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Clonboula,
Connolly,
Ennis,
County Clare
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (Mobile)
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