JP ‘embarrassed’ at Limerick honour

JP MCMANUS has received many racing trophies but when he was bestowed with a special medal yesterday, his response was “I’m embarrassed.”

The medal bearing his name was added to the historic mayoral chain of Limerick in honour of his contribution towards the social, community, education and sporting life of the city.

Mr McManus, who is already a Freeman of Limerick, received this latest civic honour for winning the 2010 Aintree Grand National with his horse, Don’t Push it.

Mayor Jim Long said: “This mayoral chain is almost 200 years old and already has 76 medallions on it which commemorate many historical people and events. It is very appropriate that the public-spiritedness which has characterised JP McManus should be acknowledged and recorded for posterity.

“There is no finer way that this can be commemorated than by the inclusion of the new medallion into this mayoral chain, which is the finest in Ireland.”

Mr McManus described the addition of the medallion as a great honour.

“I feel very honoured to be here with my family but I’m embarrassed to a point. We’re fortunate in Limerick that there is so many people who put an awful lot of hard work into making Limerick a better place. I’m embarrassed because there’s so many other people who make it their lives day in and day out; I’m only here an odd day.”

Mr McManus also paid tribute to Limerick FC chairman, Pat O’Sullivan, who sponsored the solid gold medallion.

Mr O’Sullivan said: “Countless groups and individuals have benefited in ways they could only dream about, through the generosity of the McManus family. In times like we have presently, the region is very lucky to have such an inspiring and generous family within our community.”

The medallion is the 77th solid gold piece on the mayoral chain and was crafted by JJ Kenneally’s Jewellers in Limerick.

Mayoral chains were uncommon in Britain and Ireland before the early 19th century. In 1820, four gold chains of office were purchased. Two were for the mayor and the other two were for each of the sheriffs. From 1822 onwards, many of the mayors added extra roundels or links to the principal chain inscribed with their name, year of office and details of the events of their mayoralty.

The last such link was added by Joe Leddin in 2007 to mark the contribution by the Leddin and Keyes families to the people of Limerick.