The Freedom of Kilkenny City has been conferred on President Mary McAleese at a special meeting of Kilkenny Borough Council held at Kilkenny Castle.
The award, whose only remaining living holders are Kilkenny hurling Manager Brian Cody and former Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil Séamus Pattison, was given to President McAleese to honour her contribution to national life and to mark Kilkenny's 400th year since it was awarded city status.
Past recipients of the Freedom of the City of Kilkenny included Countess Constance Marckievicz, Lady Desart, Margaret Phelan, Éamon De Valera, Liam T Cosgrave and Tony O'Malley.
The Freedom of the City is the highest accolade that can be bestowed by Kilkenny Borough Council following a formal vote, unanimously passed by the 12 members of the council.
The conferral of the honour on President McAleese, who was accompanied to the ceremony by her husband Dr Martin McAleese, was proposed by Councillor Betty Manning, Deputy Mayor of Kilkenny, and seconded by Councillor Michael Lanigan.
The President was then invited to sign the city's historic ‘Freedom Roll’ by Mayor of Kilkenny Pat Crotty, and was presented with a hand crafted wooden ‘Freedom Box’ containing a scroll commemorating the bestowal of the honour.
In her speech accepting the honour, President McAleese acknowledged the wealth of heritage in Kilkenny being celebrated by the city's 400th birthday celebrations.
