Address by President Connolly on being awarded the Freedom of Clonmel
Clonmel Town Hall, Co Tipperary, 22 May 2026
A Chairde Uaisle, is mór an onóir dom a bheith i bhur gcomhluadar anseo i Halla stairiúil Bhaile Chluain Meala agus Saoirse Chluain Meala á bronnadh orm.
Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl do Mhéara an Bhaile, An Comhairleoir Pat English agus baill uile na Comhairle as ucht an aitheantais seo.
Tuigim gur pribhléid ar leith é seo atá bronnta ar go leor daoine aitheanta romham lena n-áirítear na hIar-Uachtaráin Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese agus Michael D. Higgins agus an tOllamh iomráiteach Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin nach maireann. (Chomh maith le Countess Markievics, Charles Stewart Parnell agus John F. Kennedy.)
I am delighted to be here with you today in Clonmel. The town’s beautiful name, ‘Cluain Meala’, the 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. Over the centuries, the River Suir facilitated transport routes for commerce, while the surrounding Comeragh Mountains and Sliabh na mBan provided defence in times of conflict.
This town, in the heart of Ireland, has been at the centre of Ireland’s history and development as a nation. The fortification of Clonmel from the 13th Century onward was put to the test by Oliver Cromwell’s 3-week siege in 1650. Two centuries later, the Great Famine brought untold hardship to Clonmel and its people. In the early 20th Century, Clonmel was the location for James Connolly’s motion to establish what would become the Labour Party, at the Irish Trade Union Congress in 1912. The spirit of James Connolly is very much alive and well in this town and in your representatives.
Throughout history, the people of Clonmel, and indeed Tipperary, have displayed an independent, indomitable spirit on so many levels.
Clonmel played a significant role in the Young Islander Rebellion (1848), was central to the Fenian Rising (1867), and was a hub for republican activity during the War of Independence (1919 – 1921). Indeed, as you well know, Clonmel had its own specific battalion in the 3rd Tipperary Brigade, one of 80 Flying Columns - small, mobile, elite units that played such an important role in the fight for our independence.
This wonderful spirit is evident also in the creativity and innovation coming from this fertile ground. In the 18th Century, Bianconi Coaches – a mode of public transport - connected Clonmel to other cities and towns, paving the way for growing industries and facilitating the sharing of ideas and information.
Having once hosted a recital by virtuoso pianist Franz Liszt – albeit on a rattly piano for an audience of just 25 people - Clonmel has a rich musical heritage.
A son of this town, “Ireland’s Golden Tenor” Frank Patterson’s illustrious career encompassed opera, religious and folk music, as well as film, on the international stage. Pianist, composer, ethnomusicologist and educator Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin also hailed 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.
Tipperary and its people have provided inspiration for many traditional tunes and ballads, “The Galtee Mountain Boy” and “Slievenamon” to name but two.
Of course, alongside any drama that might take place at Council meetings, the community is well served by the White Memorial Theatre and the Clonmel Theatre Guild.
It would be remiss of me not to mention sport. Known as the ‘Home of Hurling’, Tipperary was the birthplace of the GAA at Hayes’ Hotel in Thurles in 1884, going on to win the very first All-Ireland championship in 1887. Its recent win of the 2025 Senior Championship shows the strength of the game, and that strength is very evident in the thriving GAA clubs in Clonmel and its surrounding areas. I would like to remember and pay tribute to the late Liz Howard, former President of the Camogie Association and a trailblazer in the GAA. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
Gan amhras, ní díreach baile atá i gceist leis an áit seo ach pobal, pobal atá lán de spiorad na flaithiúlachta, pobal atá beo bríomhar agus nasc láidir daingean coinnithe agus cothaithe agaibh le bhur gcuid staire. Pobal a chuaigh go mór i bhfeidhm orm nuair a thug mé cuairt ar an mbaile le linn mo fheachtas Uachtaránachta.
Meeting members of the community, and learning about Clonmel’s history of upheaval and recovery, it is the resilience of the people that shines through. With over 18,000 inhabitants today, the Clonmel Borough District is well served by its very active and dedicated Councillors.
In a previous life, having served 17 years as a City Councillor in Galway, including a year as Mayor of Galway City, I have no doubt as to the importance of local government. It was an experience that deepened my respect for the work of elected members and indeed the staff of Local Authorities who work hard to deliver essential services for their local communities.
Effective and representative local government is the very foundation of a stable and robust democracy. It is a fundamental pillar of good governance. A vibrant local democracy is crucial to ensuring that communities are empowered with decision-making power directly in their hands. Everywhere I go, it is the local communities I meet who have the solutions on the ground to so many of the issues impacting their day-to-day lives. Their engaged and active citizenship is critical to a flourishing republic – and crucial to fostering sustainable solutions and enhancing quality of life.
Tréaslaím libh ar fad, a Chairde, as ucht bhur saothar ar son mhuintir Chluain Meala, saothar tábhachtach nach bhfaigheann a dhóthain aitheantais go minic.
Gabhaim buíochas arís libh as an phribhléid agus an onóir seo a bhronnadh orm.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh ar fad.