Debate over city’s decision to honour Michael Flatley

IS Cork giving the Freedom of the City away too cheaply by honouring Michael Flatley — or is the best thing that has ever happened to Cork and Ireland?

Those were two very contradictory opinions given on a radio talk show yesterday after Cork Lord Mayor Michael Ahern nominated the Lord of the Dance star for the special honour.

He will officially take on the mantle in May.

Another Michael from Cork said he objected not just to Flatley’s nomination, but also to two current appointments, Sonia O’Sullivan and Roy Keane.

“Every Lord Mayor seems to consider it incumbent on themselves to propose three or four people of passing fame to be awarded the greatest honour the city can give.”

He added that, in years to come, people will ask who Michael Flatley was and who Sonia O’Sullivan is.

John O’Sullivan, another Cork native questioned what exactly the Fermoy resident had done for Cork city — adding that others more deserving included Adi Roche of the Chernobyl Children’s Project and Paddy O’Brien, organiser of the city’s ‘Over-60s’ competition.

However, many more callers to the Liveline show on RTÉ said the Lord of the Dance was one of the Cork and Ireland’s greatest contributors.