President accepts Freedom of Cork with ‘humility and appreciation’

President Michael D Higgins said it was with “a great sense of humility and appreciation” that he had become the sixth Irish head of State to be bestowed with the Freedom of Cork City.

At a ceremony in City Hall, attended by several hundred guests, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Catherine Clancy, said it was only fitting to bestow the honour on President Higgins in recognition of his membership of Dáil Éireann for 25 years and his membership of the Seanad Éireann for nine years.

Ms Clancy also said it recognised “his life of dedication and commitment to public service and his outstanding achievements in advancing civil rights and social justice nationally and internationally”.