3 A Chairde go leir, I extend my best wishes to all those who are participating in and enjoying the International Hurling Festival in Galway in the coming days. The Festival is a wonderful celebration of the uniquely skilful game of hurling, as well as the importance of Gaelic Games in the life of Irish communities across the globe. The fact that 16 teams from around the world are participating in the Festival is an apt reflection of the vitality of the Irish Diaspora and of its commitment to cherish Irish sport and culture. I offer a special welcome to the players, officials and supporters who have travelled from various continents to enjoy both the sporting contest and human fellowship that the Festival represents. I hope your few days in Galway will be very enjoyable and that your experience of the Festival will generate happy memories for many years to come. I wish to congratulate the Cumann Luthcleas Gael in Galway for hosting this great sporting occasion and the various sponsors who are generously supporting it. The people of Loughrea, Ballinasloe, Gort and West Galway will, I know, give a great welcome to the teams to as they participate in the qualifying games and the Finals in Pearse Stadium will no doubt be an exciting occasion for players and spectators alike. Ta suil agam go mbeidh cluichi chrua ach cluichi brea sportúil ann, agus go mbainfidh an fhoireann is fearr an bua. Michael D. Higgins Uachtaran na hEireann President of Ireland 9 September, 2013
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