Ali To Become Ennis' First Ever Freeman
Updated : Aug 18, 2009
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali will be honoured as the first Freeman of his ancestral home, Ennis, Co Clare.
The town council today voted unanimously in favour of the award as they prepare to welcome the sporting hero to the town next month.
The 67-year-old former world heavyweight champion will visit the birthplace of his great grandfather on September 1.
A civic reception will take place in Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, before Ali tours the town and the council is also hoping to host a public open-air event during the visit.
Ali’s ancestor Abe Grady emigrated from his home on the Turnpike Road in Ennis to the US in the 1860s. Grady sailed from Cappa Harbour in Kilrush, Co Clare, eventually settling in Kentucky where he married an African-American woman.
Their son also married an African-American and one of their daughters was Ali’s mother, Odessa Lee Grady.