Official opening of The Helix by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese
21 October 2002

President Mary McAleese and Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski

The official opening of The Helix on 16 October by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, marked the culmination of years of hard work and vision. The gala performance was an appropriate celebration of this new era for the Arts in Ireland, and a fitting tribute to everyone who contributed to the fulfilment of what started out as a dream over twenty years ago.

Following the unveiling of a plaque in the foyer to mark the event and a tour of the facilities by President of DCU, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski and Director of The Helix, Nick Reed, Mary McAleese met those key individuals who had played a significant role in the realisation of Ireland's newest and largest arts centre.

In her speech, the President of Ireland paid particular tribute to Mr Tim Mahony of Toyota Ireland for his tremendous generosity to the project; to Dr Danny O'Hare, the university's first President and to Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski who brought the project to its conclusion. In her own words "May it have many days like today and as its unwritten story unfolds, may its success vindicate the faith of those here this evening whose determination made it happen".