Wogan and McCourt miss out on Hall of Fame

TWO internationally acclaimed Limerickmen were last night given the thumbs down when the city’s first ever Hall of Fame was announced.

The Limerick Hall of Fame, which was inaugurated at a glittering ceremony, celebrates the achievements of 23 men and women who include Richard Harris.

But the roll of honour does not include Terry Wogan or Frank McCourt.

Limerick Civic Trust said Wogan, who has been voted Britain’s top radio broadcaster and McCourt, the winner of a Pulitzer Prize for his blockbuster Angela’s Ashes, had not received sufficient support from the Limerick public for inclusion in the Hall of Fame.

Director of the Civic Trust Denis Leonard said they had invited the people of Limerick to nominate people they felt worthy for inclusion in the Hall of Fame.

Mr Leonard said: “In all about 70 people were nominated and many received numerous nominations. Frank McCourt got no nomination at all and Terry Wogan got just one. From the nominations we picked the cream of the crop and the 23 in the Hall of Fame were the best of the 70 who received nominations. These are class nominees from start to finish.”

The Hall of Fame consists of portraits of each recipient of the honour by the celebrated portrait artist Tom Ryan RHA, a native of Limerick, who is included in the honours list.

The red chalk portraits will hang in the Hall of Fame which is located in the historic Bishop’s Palace near King John’s Castle.

Others included in the Hall of Fame are the Chief Justice John Murray and triple crown rugby veteran Paddy Reid.

Mr Leonard described the Hall of Fame concept as a classic example of a little acorn growing into a mighty oak tree.

He said: “This is an extraordinary collection of 23 Limerick people who should be regarded as role models for present and future generations.

“The extent of their achievements reached local, national and international acclaim. We in Limerick should be very proud of the honour they brought to our city and be eternally grateful to Tom Ryan for his marvellous work in creating this Hall of Fame.”

The selection criteria for inclusion in the Hall of Fame was the making of a major contribution to Limerick’s image and development as a modern city and the nominee must have excelled in their chosen role to an outstanding level to be worthy of inclusion by way of portrait in the Hall of Fame.