Former President of Ireland, Dr Patrick Hillery, has been honoured by his native County Clare. The library close to his home at Milltown Malbay was formally named after him today.
There was a warm welcome in the town this afternoon for the man many regard as one of their most famous and accomplished public figures.
Dr Hillery was born in Spanish Point, just outside Milltown Malbay. He still has a house there, and keeps in close contact with his County Clare roots.
He worked as a local doctor here before being elected as TD for Clare in 1951, starting a long and successful public career as Minister for Education and External Affairs, EU Commissioner, and President for two terms.
Today, members of his extended family honoured his achievements by naming the Milltown Malbay library after him.
The Mayor of County Clare, Cllr Richard Nagle, said the honour was very fitting for a man who had a very distinguished career, but who kept in close contact always with the people of County Clare.
County Librarian Noel Crowley said it was an opportunity to honour a great Clare man, and to thank him for the wonderful work he had done for his county and for the country.
Dr Hillery said he was humbled and somewhat overwhelmed by the honour and the affection in which he continued to be held by his native community, and said his achievements were always as a result of the great support he had received form the people of County Clare.
