NEWS RELEASE
26 October 2007

Irish President to unveil plaque at Frank Kitts Park

Irish President Mary McAleese will be in the capital on Tuesday 30 October to unveil a plaque in Frank Kitts Park.

Mayor Kerry Prendergast says she was approached by Jim Bowler, President of the Irish Society, several months ago to support the installation of a plaque in the city and that she was “only to happy to oblige”.

“We are fortunate that President McAleese can be here for the unveiling. It turned out to be a lucky coincidence that she happens to be in the country at this time.”

While Jim was in Sydney eight months ago, he saw a similar plaque outside the Wellington Barracks commemorating the Irish contribution to Sydney and New South Wales.

“I felt it was a great acknowledgement of the huge input the Irish nation has had, and thought it would be good to have a similar tribute in Wellington. It is very exciting that President McAleese will be here too.”

Mary McAleese was inaugurated as the eighth President of Ireland in 1997, and was re-elected in 2004 for a second term. Born in Belfast, she is the first President to come from Northern Ireland.

The President will be joined by Mayor Kerry Prendergast and Jim Bowler for the unveiling, a tribute to the contribution made to Wellington and New Zealand by Irish immigrants and their descendents. New Zealand-based band Glór na mBan will compliment the event with traditional Celtic and Irish music.

The unveiling will take place at 2.30pm on Tuesday 30 October at Frank Kitts Park Promenade.

Media are invited to attend.

ENDS

© Scoop Media