Flatley to step up for Freedom of Cork honour

MILLIONAIRE dance star and dad-to-be, Michael Flatley, is to be made a Freeman of Cork.

The Celtic Tiger star, whose wife, Niamh, is expecting the couple’s first child in April, will be conferred with the honour at a ceremony in the City Hall in May.

A date for the ceremony is yet to be set.

Cork’s Lord Mayor Michael Ahern, who has several national medals for Irish dancing, said it would be agreed with the couple after the birth of their baby.

Mr Ahern told last night’s city council meeting of his intention to confer the honour upon Mr Flatley.

It received the unanimous support of the council.

Mr Ahern has spoken to Mr Flatley about the proposal and said the US-born, Fermoy-based Irish dancing star was “very pleased” about it.

“I would like to honour him with the Freedom of the City because he has created a very positive view of Ireland abroad to an extent that no one else has,” Mr Ahern said.

“He has shown and portrayed Irish culture to people on a world stage and it reflects very well on us as a nation.

“And I think he’s the best dancer — not just Irish dancer — the world has ever seen.”

Mr Flatley will join a long list of distinguished Freemen of Cork including President Mary McAleese, who was honoured in 2006, Roy Keane and Sonia O’Sullivan, who were honoured in a joint ceremony in 2005, and John Hume, who was honoured in 2004.

Ms McAleese became the fourth President of Ireland to be made a Freeman of Cork. Mary Robinson, Éamonn de Valera and Douglas Hyde have also accepted the honour. US president, John F Kennedy, was also a recipient.

Mr Flatley worked closely with the city council for one of its biggest events during Cork 2005.

The former world tap dancing record holder, who is worth an estimated €550 million, led 8,371 people in a world record attempt on the city’s streets.

The six-minute Siege of Ennis dance entered the Guinness Book of Records several weeks later.