It is a great pleasure to be here today to officially open the John McGahern library in the beautiful new Lough Rynn Castle Hotel.
Lough Rynn Estate here in Mohill, at the heart of Leitrim, could hardly be more ideally situated.With its stunning gardens and Nick Faldo designed golf-course, the 300 acre Estate has become a most desirable place to visit for tourists and locals alike.
The Hotel itself is a particularly welcome development for this area with its 58 luxury bedrooms and World Class Spa and Leisure facility. Proprietors Alan and Bertie Hanly are to be congratulated for developing these top class facilities and providing a major boost for the local community through the many employment and business opportunities that they offer.
In the past, Mohill was known as a thriving market town but during the later part of the last century, emigration had its effect on the population here. These days we can see that the area is once again growing and developing with the last census recording a welcome increase in population. In fact, the latest census shows that, of all the Connacht Counties, Leitrim saw the highest population growth rate between 2002 and 2006.
The fortunes of the people of Mohill have certainly varied down through the ages. Here at Lough Rynn, I suspect that the current regime is far more benign than that of the legendary Lord Leitrim whose name is forever linked with this estate. His controversial career as a landlord in this country was brought to an abrupt end with his assassination by tenants in 1878.
But today we are here to mark the rather more positive association between Leitrim and another of its famous sons. I am, of course, speaking of the author, John McGahern, in whose honour this wonderful new library has been named. I would like to extend a particularly warm welcome to John’s widow, Madeline, who is here today to mark this occasion.
I know that having made his home not far from here, John McGahern had a very strong attachment to and fondness for Mohill. Leitrim was in many ways his spiritual home and its rural backdrop proved to be a rich source of inspiration for the impressive body of writing that he produced during his lifetime.
But as with many of the major Irish writers, McGahern’s relationship with his country of birth was not always a harmonious one. John experienced the harsher side of life in Ireland during the 1960s when the banning of his book, The Dark caused him the loss of his teaching job and virtually forced him into exile.
Thankfully times changed and over the years John McGahern was able to return here and see his work celebrated in his native land in the way that it truly deserved.
I understand that when the Hotel approached you, Madeline, about honouring your late husband, you came to visit the library and immediately felt that naming it after him would make a fitting and appropriate tribute. And I have to say that I fully agree with that sentiment. This room will provide a quiet sanctuary for the guests at this hotel who wish to read or simply take a quiet moment for contemplation.
There is a fine collection of books here which represents many of the great Irish writers. Needless to say, all of John McGahern’s works are included and a number of signed first editions have been kindly donated by Madeline.
This library provides a tranquil heart for this beautiful hotel. It remains true to the spirit of John McGahern who, through his writing, was able to celebrate the quiet beauty of life in such a unique way.
I am reminded of the words of the character Michael Moran from his great novel Amongst Women who said: “The best of life is lived quietly, where nothing happens but our calm journey through the day, where change is imperceptible and the precious life is everything.”
Madeline, I know that this is an important and emotional day for you. I want to thank you for allowing us to pay tribute to John, one of our greatest writers, with the opening of this new library.
Before I conclude I would also like to make special mention of Samantha Long, the Sales and Marketing Manager here for her role in bringing this about. And congratulations once again to Alan and Bertie for developing this splendid new hotel.
Thank you for your attention.
ENDS.