This article is from page 18 of the 2012-09-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
THE President of Ireland is set to follow in the footsteps of Muhammad Ali by becoming an honourary freeman of Ennis.
Michael D Higgins is due to accept the award at a ceremony in Ennis on February 13 (2013).
Ennis Town Council wrote to the President in November inviting him to accept the freedom of Ennis. A letter from the President’s office to the council has confirmed that Mr Higgins has accepted the invitation.
Denise Lynch, events office, stated, “The President has asked me to let you know that he has agreed in principle to accept your kind invitation for Wednesday, February 13, 2013, subject to the usual requirements of State and other business that may arise later. The President will arrive at a time to be confirmed. In the meantime, we would be glad if you could send details of the arrangements for the occasion and I have enclosed a note to assist you in preparing the programme.”
Former World Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali was named the first ever freeman of Ennis when he visited the town in September 2009.
Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Peter Considine (FF) welcomed the announcement that the President would be visiting the town to become an honourary freeman.
Mr Higgins has strong Clare connections. He was raised by his uncle and aunt at their home in Ballycar and went to school in St Flannan’s College. Prior to taking up a job with the ESB in Galway, he worked in Progress International in Shannon.
In June, President Higgins was granted a civic reception by Clare County Council. He spoke about his strong affinity for the county at the time. “Yes indeed I associate myslef with Clare. There are many origins I have that are very simply understood,” he said. “My father and my grandfather and my greatgrandfather have been associated with county Clare since time immemorial. I am glad to say in the 1901 census in the town land of Ballycar there are four families of Higgins. And once again as a result of my brother’s [John] activites and his sons there are four families in Ballycar again.”