The Honorary Freedom of the City

of Dublin 2014

Fr. Peter McVerry SJ ❂ Brian O’Driscoll

The ancient Freedom of the City was instituted at the time of the Norman Invasion in the late twelfth century. Holders of the Freedom were known as “Free Citizens” and

were entitled to significant trading privileges and certain duties.

Holders of the ancient Freedom of Dublin received the following rights:

The right to vote in municipal and parliamentary elections.

The right to bring goods into Dublin through the city gates without paying

customs duties.

The right to pasture sheep on common ground in the city known as Hoggen

Green (now College Green) or St. Stephen’s Green.

The right to marry without obtaining the King’s licence.

The right to sell land or to bequeath it to

their descendants.

The right to have guilds.

The right to trial by jury.

Exemption from having soldiers billeted in their homes.

Exemption from serving as city coroner or city bailiff.

The Honorary Freedom of the City was instituted under the Municipal Privileges Act, 1876 and is presently conferred under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 2001. The founder of the Home Rule Party, Isaac Butt, was the first person to receive the Honorary Freedom of Dublin in 1876 and a total of 76 people have received it since then, most recently Thomas Kinsella and Louis le Brocquy on 24th May 2007.

A full list of recipients of the Honorary Freedom of Dublin is available on www.dublincity.ie. The Roll of Honour (list of signatures) can be viewed in

City Hall at the Story of the Capital exhibition.

The Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin 2014

It is a great honour for me to bestow the Freedom of the City on two of Dublin’s most respected and influential people. The Freedom of the City of Dublin is the highest and most prestigious award the City can bestow and it has only been given to 76 people since Isaac Butt received the first Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin on 16th October 1876.

Fr. Peter McVerry SJ has been working and campaigning for the rights of Dublin’s young homeless for more than 30 years. Since opening his first hostel for young homeless people in 1979 to setting up the Peter McVerry Trust, he has progressed from providing a three bedroom flat in Ballymun to today’s wide range of services catering for the diverse needs of young homeless people. He is a tireless fighter on behalf of those in need and I am delighted to recognise the value and huge importance of his work by awarding him the Freedom of the City of Dublin.

Brian O’Driscoll is widely claimed as Ireland’s best ever rugby union player and has frequently been named as the top player in the world during his playing career. Achievements are numerous including captaincy of Leinster, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions, winner of Heineken Cups, Triple Crowns and of course Ireland’s Grand Slam victory in 2009. Having announced his retirement from Rugby from summer 2014, it is timely that his long and very successful career is marked by the awarding of the Freedom of the City of Dublin. In addition, Brian is also being recognised for his active support of Children’s charities.

Fr. Peter and Brian are from different generations, but they share much in common. They are both inspirational leaders. They set a remarkable example to us all by the way they apply themselves to their challenges. They are people who lead by the example they set. In their own way, and in their own fields, they are both individuals who walk the walk.

I am honoured, on behalf of the citizens of Dublin, to confer the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin upon Fr. Peter McVerry SJ and Brian O’Driscoll to formally mark their contribution to the city of Dublin.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Oisín Quinn

IntroductionLord Mayor of Dublin Oisín Quinn

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❂Fr. Peter McVerry SJ

Advocate for the homeless

Social justice campaigner

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Fr. Peter McVerry SJ grew up in Newry, Co. Down and was educated at the Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School in Newry and at the Jesuit school at Clongowes Wood College in Co. Kildare.

In 1962, he entered the Jesuit Order and was ordained in 1975. From 1974 to 1980, Peter worked in the Inner City in Dublin and there he came into contact with young people who were sleeping on the streets because of their home situation. He opened a hostel for homeless boys, aged 12-16, in 1979 and this subsequently became his life-time work. He saw through the work of this hostel that when the

boys reached 16 and needed to leave, they had few options open to them and most ended up back living on the streets. This realisation led him to set about providing services and accommodation for these older youths.

In 1980 Peter moved to Ballymun and by the end of 1983 he had founded the Arrupe Society, a charity to tackle homelessness. This charity, subsequently renamed as the Peter McVerry Trust (PMVT), has progressed from a three bedroom flat in Ballymun to eleven homeless hostels, over 100 apartments, a residential drug detox centre and two drug stabilisation services. The vision of PMVT is to support all those living on the margins and to uphold their rights to full inclusion in society. In 2013 the charity worked with over 3,000 vulnerable youths.

As a social activist Peter is a strong advocate for those who have no voice in society. He has written widely on issues relating to young homeless people such as accommodation, drugs, juvenile justice, the Gardaí, prisons and education. He has a regular article in the monthly Redemptorist magazine, "Reality", and speaks on issues of homelessness, justice and faith to groups around the country. He is a critic of government policy on issues such as homelessness, drugs and criminal justice.

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Peter has produced a book of writings, called “The Meaning is in the Shadows”. These writings reflect on his experiences working in Dublin’s Inner City. His most recent book is “Jesus – Social Revolutionary?”

Now based at the Open Access Centre in Upper Sherrard Street, Peter’s ongoing work with and campaigning on behalf of troubled young people has made him one of the most prophetic voices in Ireland today.

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"In a community that loves one another, there should be no-one poor, (unless all are poor); there should be no-one homeless, no-one lonely, no-one sick or alone without visitors, no-one in prison who has been abandoned and written off, there should be no-one rejected or marginalised."

– Fr. Peter McVerry speaking at the 50th Eucharistic Congress, Dublin, June 2012

❂Brian O'Driscoll

Professional Rugby Union Player

Ireland

Leinster

The British and Irish Lions

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Born in Dublin in 1979, Brian O’Driscoll is universally acknowledged as one of the worlds greatest ever rugby centres. Over the past 14 years, his number 13 jersey has become affectionately immortalised as a symbol of achievement, leading a golden generation of Leinster and Ireland players to a series of unprecedented international successes. Brian’s professional playing career began in 1998 when Ireland won the U-19 Rugby World Championship. He

made his debut for Leinster in 1999, where he would become a profound influence in a powerful Leinster backline for the remainder of his career.

First capped in 1999, Brian electrified the rugby world in March 2000 with a hat-trick of tries for Ireland against France, securing Ireland’s first win in Paris in the Five Nations since 1972. His first Celtic League win came in 2001, when Leinster beat great rivals Munster in the final. Further Celtic League successes followed in 2008 and 2013. In 2009, 2011 and 2012, Brian was pivotal to Leinster winning the much coveted European Heineken Cup and in 2013, the European Amlin Challenge Cup

Accustomed to winning at underage level Brian believed that Ireland and Leinster could achieve at the highest level. Unsurprisingly, he captained the Ireland Rugby team from 2004 to 2013, and Leinster Rugby from 2005 to 2008. A leader by example, he inspired Ireland to 4 Triple Crown successes in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009, and a Six Nations Championship Grand Slam in 2009. Four times a British and Irish Lion – 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013, he captained the 2005 tour of New Zealand.

On 8th March 2014 Brian became the world’s most capped player having won his 140th Test Cap against Italy.

Brian is the highest try scorer of all time in Irish rugby with 46 tries, the eighth highest try scorer in rugby union history, and the highest scoring centre of all time. With such an illustrious resumé, it is no surprise that he has been decorated with several honours and awards throughout his career. Among the accolades, he was chosen as Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 RBS Six Nations Championships.

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A wonderful ambassador on and off the pitch, Brian’s humanitarian persona came to the fore with his fundraising efforts for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital. His testimonial was held last November and the entire proceeds from the event were donated to both causes.

It is difficult to imagine Irish rugby without Brian O’Driscoll. He will finally hang up his boots at the end of this season in a plenary goodbye to Province and Country. Today we pay homage to the rich legacy of passion, pride, success and leadership he will leave to Irish sport and life, which will inspire generations to come to achieve at the highest level. As he opens a new chapter in his life, Brian will no doubt continue to contribute to Irish public life in a very positive way no matter what pathway he chooses to take.

Brian O'Driscoll

"The great leaders are like the best conductors – they reach beyond the notes to reach the magic in the players"

– Blaine Lee

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7.15pm

Live entertainment provided by Young European Strings Chamber Orchestra

8pm

The ceremonial party enter the room.

Lord Mayor, Recipients and City Manager take the stage.

MC calls on City Manager, Owen Keegan, to read the text of the resolution of the Council.

Lord Mayor’s tribute to Fr. Peter McVerry SJ

Fr. Peter McVerry SJ signs the Roll of Honour, is presented with an illuminated scroll and “Wave Sculpture”

Fr. Peter McVerry SJ responds.

Lord Mayor’s tribute to Brian O’Driscoll

Brian O’Driscoll signs the Roll of Honour, is presented with an illuminated scroll and “Wave Sculpture”

Brian O’Driscoll responds.

9pm

End of Formal Ceremony. Refreshments served.

The Young European Strings Chamber Orchestra, founded in 2002, is based in

Templeogue, Dublin. Under the baton of Artistic Director Ronald Masin, their

repertoire stretches from early baroque to late twentieth-century music.

The ‘Wave Sculptures’, specially commissioned for the Freedom of the City,

represent Freedom and are made in Ireland by Sculpture Designer, a company of

skilled crystal craftsmen. The pieces are made from granite and glass.

Credits for photos in Round Room:

Fr. Peter McVerry SJ – Irish Independent and Fr. McVerry

Brian O’Driscoll – Sportsfile

Programme of Events

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NUMBER NAME OF RECIPIENT DATE OF RESOLUTION DATE OF SIGNATURE

1 Isaac Butt 4 September 1876 16 October 1876

2 W.E. Gladstone 1 November 1877 7 November 1877

3 U.S. Grant 30 December 1878 3 January 1879

4 Edward E. Potter 26 April 1880 4 May 1880

5 Charles S. Parnell 3 January 1882 16 August 1882

6 John Dillon 3 January 1882 16 August 1882

7 Kevin Izod O’Doherty 10 August 1885 1 September 1885

8 Patrick A. Collins 22 July 1887 2 August 1887

William O’Brien 22 July 1887 2 August 1887

10 [The Marquess of ] Ripon 16 January 1888 2 February 1888

11 John Morley 16 January 1888 2 February 1888

12 Patrick F. Cardinal Moran 1 October 1888 4 October 1888

13 Margaret Sandhurst 19 September 1889 20 September 1889

14 James Stansfeld 19 September 1889 20 September 1889

15 George Salmon 14 March 1892 30 June 1892

16 Stuart Knill 23 December 1892 2 January 1893

9a Timothy Daniel Sullivan 10 December 1887 24 October 1893

9b* Thomas Sexton 28 December 1887 Did not sign roll

17 J.E. Redmond 18 December 1901 3 April 1902

18 P. A. McHugh 30 October 1901 3 April 1902

19 An Craoibhín Aoibhín 29 June 1906 7 August 1906

[Douglas Hyde]

20 Spencer Harty 2 September 1907 No date given

20a* Hugh P. Lane 10 February 1908 Did not sign roll

21 Richard Croker 1 July 1907 24 August 1908

22 E. O’Meagher Condon 28 September 1909 4 October 1909

23 Charles A. Cameron 30 September 1910 20 February 1911

24 Kuno Meyer 18 July 1911 22 April 1912

25 Peadar Ua Laoghaire 18 July 1911 22 April 1912

25a* Daniel Mannix 5 August 1920 Did not sign roll

Recipients of Honorary Freedom of City of Dublin

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26 John McCormack 3 September 1923 6 September 1923

27 Ehrenfried Gunther 30 June 1928 3 July 1928

Baron von Hunefeld

28 Hermann Koehl 30 June 1928 3 July 1928

29 James C. Fitzmaurice 30 June 1928 3 July 1928

30 Frank B. Kellogg 25 August 1928 30 August 1928

31 Lorenzo Cardinal Lauri 2 May 1932 27 June 1932

32 John Lavery 12 August 1935 17 September 1935

33 John Purser Griffith 4 May 1936 8 June 1936

34 G. Bernard Shaw 4 March 1946 28 August 1946

35 Richard J. Cushing 16 September 1949 16 September 1949

36 Paul A. Dever 16 September 1949 16 September 1949

37 Sean T. O Ceallaigh 4 May 1953 2 June 1953

38 John Cardinal D’Alton 4 May 1953 2 June 1953

39 Gerald P. O’Hara 12 July 1954 27 July 1954

44* A. Chester Beatty 7 November 1955 26 July 1956

45 John F. Norton 11 August 1958 28 October 1958

46 G.P. Cardinal Agagianian 1 May 1961 22 June 1961

47 Michael Cardinal Browne 16 July 1962 23 August 1962

48 John F. Kennedy 27 May 1963 28 June 1963

49 Hilton R.H. Edwards 11 June 1973 22 June 1973

50 Micheál Mac Liammóir 11 June 1973 22 June 1973

51 Eamon de Valera 3 February 1975 7 March 1975

52 John A. Costello 3 February 1975 7 March 1975

53 Joannes Paulus PP. II 24 September 1979 29 September 1979

54 Noel Purcell 22 June 1984 28 June 1984

55 Maureen Potter (O’Leary) 22 June 1984 28 June 1984

56 Akihito 20 February 1985 4 March 1985

57 Michiko 20 February 1985 4 March 1985

58 Stephen Roche 28 September 1987 29 September 1987

59 Nelson Mandela 18 July 1988 1 July 1990

Recipients of Honorary Freedom of City of Dublin

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60 Pádraig Ua hIrighile 4 March 1991 22 April 1991

61 M. Teresa M.C. 1 February 1993 2 June 1993

62 John [ Jack] Charlton 11 April 1994 26 May 1994

63 William J. Clinton 6 November 1995 1 December 1995

64 Gabriel M. Byrne 12 April 1999 11 May 1999

65 Aung San Suu Kyi 1 November 1999 18 June 2102

66 Paul McGuinness 1 November 1999 18 March 2000

67 The Edge 1 November 1999 18 March 2000

68 Larry Mullen Junior 1 November 1999 18 March 2000

69 Adam Clayton 1 November 1999 18 March 2000

70 Bono 1 November 1999 18 March 2000

71 Mikhail Gorbachev 3 December 2001 9 January 2002

72 Kevin Heffernan 1 March 2004 17 May 2004

73 Ronnie Delany 5 September 2005 5 March 2006

74 Bob Geldof 5 September 2005 5 March 2006

75 Thomas Kinsella 5 February 2007 24 May 2007

76 Louis Le Brocquy 5 February 2007 24 May 2007

77 Fr. Peter McVerry SJ 4th November 2013 22nd March 2014

78 Brian O’Driscoll 4th November 2013 22nd March 2014

* The numbering system, which had been disrupted by the insertion of nos. 9a, 9b, 20a and 25a, was brought

into correct sequence in 1955. The next recipient, Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, who was the 44th person to

receive the Honorary Freedom of Dublin, was numbered accordingly as no. 44.

Recipients of Honorary Freedom of City of Dublin

Lord Mayor’s Office Oifig an ArdmhéaraMansion House Teach an ArdmhéaraDawson Street Sráid DhásáinDublin 2 Baile Átha Cliath 2Tel: 01 222 6200 e-mail: lordmayor@dublincity.ieFax: 01 679 6573 Web: www.dublincity.ie