While Northern Ireland is facing "stark choices" in the next few weeks, there is "no going back" to the days of sectarian divisions, the President, Mrs McAleese, has told an audience in west Belfast.
Opening the "Requiem for the Millennium" concert at Clonard monastery, Mrs Mc Aleese said the recent achievements of the peace process should not be sacrificed.
In one of her most political speeches to date, Mrs McAleese said people were craving a truly new millennium devoid of political conflict and sectarian hatred. "As we enter this new era, we have come to realise that the time has come to celebrate the riotous diversity of all of our people and to enjoy the harmonies we can make together," she concluded.