Former Uachtarain na hEireann Professor Mary Mc Alesse officially launched the Mc Aleese Collection Friday night in King House.
When complete, the collection will consist of over 70 state gifts received by the ex President during her 14 year term of office.
The guests were welcomed by Mary Mullins on behalf of Roscommon County Council.
Speakers included Paddy Kilduff, Cathaoirleach Roscommon Co Co, Clodagh Kelly Curator, Deputy Frank Feighan and Professor McAleese.
In her speech Professor McAleese spoke of her love of county Roscommon her “home” now and how she was taught the story of Una Bhan while in her grandmothers house “down the road”.
She always wished for the gifts to go on public display and not “gather dust”.
Her wish came through, she said, when Frank Feighan came up with the idea of bringing the gifts to King House.
The former President also revealed that the “Millennium Bronze Sculpture” was one of her favourites as it depicted a man and a woman lifting up a child, “the same way we would lift our own children”.
She jokingly quipped that after the five year term in which the exhibition will be on show in Boyle that the people of Boyle would have “squatters rights” to the gifts.
In conclusion Mary Mullins thanked a number of people including Professor McAleese, OPW, President Higgins and Aras staff, Deputy Frank Feighan, staff King House and in particular Tommy Egan, Richie Farrell and staff County Library, Clodagh McDermott, Boyle Civic Trust, Paddy Kilduff and elected members Roscommon Co Co, Press, Breda McKeon catering and Clodagh Kelly.
The exhibition is free and open to the public for the next two weeks and during the following tourist season.
