President Catherine Connolly 'delighted and humbled' to receive Freedom of Clonmel

Catherine Connolly received the Freedom of Clonmel during a ceremony at the town hall. She said she was delighted and humbled, describing the honour as a privilege and noting she had not expected it. She connected Clonmel’s name, Cluain Meala, to the natural environment and linked the town’s history to its geography in the Golden Vale. She referenced the Labour Party’s establishment in Clonmel in 1912 by James Connolly, saying his spirit remains evident among local representatives. She paid tribute to notable people from Clonmel, including Frank Patterson and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, and highlighted Ó Súilleabháin’s role in founding the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. She stressed the importance of local government and the crucial work of local councils.

"“I am absolutely delighted and humbled to be here today in Clonmel. I wasn't expecting this. To be truthful, I think it's premature, but it is a privilege and I will do my best to live up to that privilege.”"

"“The town and its beautiful name - Cluain Meala, meadow of honey - captures its deep connection to the natural environment. Located on the fertile land of the Golden Vale, the history of Clonmel has been greatly influenced by its geography,” President Connolly said."

"“Throughout history, the people of Clonmel, and indeed Tipperary have displayed an independent and indomitable spirit on so many levels and in so many areas and over so many centuries,” she said."

"“Mícheál Ó Suilleabháin also came from Clonmel, and has left a lasting legacy, not only through his unique and varied repertoire but in the founding of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick,” she said. “We can't put a value on his contribution,” President Connolly added."

Read at Irish Independent