Ali To Be Named As First Honorary Freeman Of The Clare County Capital

Members of Ennis Town Council today unanimously passed a motion that will see boxing legend Muhammad Ali being named as the first Honorary Freeman of the Clare County Capital.

The former world heavyweight champion, now 67 and fighting Parkinson's disease, will visit the birthplace of his great grandfather during the afternoon of Tuesday, 1 September 2009.

A Civic Reception, the highest honour that a Local Authority can give, will take place in Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, at 3pm before the Ali embarks on a drive throughout the town and the birthplace of his great grandfather.

Ennis Town Council has confirmed it is working with Sports Academy International to host a public open-air event in the centre of Ennis for the duration of the visit.  Members of the public will be able to view the Civic Reception on the Big Screen along with enjoying live music and entertainment.  Ennis Town Council will also be hosting an exhibition of Muhammad Ali memorabilia along with street entertainment throughout the town.

Ali's ancestor Abe Grady emigrated from his home on the Turnpike Road in Ennis to the United States in the 1860s.  Grady sailed from Cappa Harbour in Kilrush, County Clare, eventually settling in Kentucky, where he married an African-American woman. Their son also married an African-American and one of the daughters of that union was Ali's mother, named Odessa Lee Grady. She married Cassius Clay, senior, and they settled in Louisville, where their son was initially given his father's name on his birth in 1942. He later changed his name to Muhammad Ali when he converted to the Nation of Islam after winning the world title in 1964.

Mayor of Ennis Cllr Frankie Neylon explained: "Ennis Town Council has decided to make Ali an Honorary Freeman in recognition of his direct links with Ennis and the county of Clare, his unrivalled sporting achievements on the world stage, and his contribution to educational and charitable causes through his global fundraising foundation."

The Mayor continued: "The public and media interest that has been generated by this planned visit has been immense and I believe that the publicity surrounding it will result in thousands of additional visitors to the town.

"I have no doubt that the people of Clare will turn out in huge numbers to welcome Muhammad Ali and that the boxer himself will thoroughly enjoy his visit to the Ireland's Banner County."

Muhammad Ali's visit to Ireland, which includes his attendance at a charity event in Dublin, is being organised by Alltech Biotechnology in conjunction with the Alltech Muhammad Ali Center Global Education and Charitable Fund.