Town keeps its guard up for fragile Ali on his 'homecoming' visit
Tuesday August 18 2009
MUHAMMAD Ali's visit to trace his Irish heritage will not be a chance to shake hands and take snaps with the boxing legend, town officials warned last night.
And at a special meeting of Ennis Town Council yesterday to discuss the visit, Councillor Frankie Neylon said that due to restrictions, councillors will not be able to bring their wives and partners to the civic reception.
Mr Neylon said he expects between 60,000 to 70,000 people to visit Ennis to mark Ali's September 1 visit.
He added that due to the restriction in numbers at the reception, the council is intending to erect a large video screen in a town centre car park.
He also confirmed that Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Tourism and Sport Minister Martin Cullen want to be at the civic reception at which Ali will be made a freeman of Ennis.
The three-time world champion has battled Parkinson's Disease for several years and Ennis town manager Ger Dollard said that due to Ali's health, the organisation bringing him to Ireland were very protective of him and wanted nothing detrimental to happen to him while he was here.
He said: "They don't want crowds and it won't be possible to shake his hand and it won't be possible to have your photograph taken with him."
Restrictions
However, Mr Neylon told councillors that it was just impossible that the councillors' partners would be able to attend the civic reception due to severe restrictions on numbers.
He said: "It is going to that tight."
Mr Neylon said that the visit "will be an opportunity for Ennis to showcase itself to the world".
Ali is due to arrive at Shannon airport at 2.30pm on September 1 and will then travel to Ennis Town Council's headquarters.
After the reception, Ali will be driven in a cavalcade through the streets of Ennis to the Turnpike area where his great-grand-father, Abe Grady, emigrated from in the 1860s.
Mr Neylon also revealed plans for a festival in Ennis to mark the event.
And he announced that Muhammad Ali festival would now be held annually in the town. Ali will also be in Dublin on August 31 for a fundraising night in the Ballsbridge Court Hotel to raise money for the Alltech Ali Charitable Foundation.
The boxing legend has teamed up with biotechnology firm Alltech, headed by Dundalk native Pearse Lyons, to establish a fund to raise money for educationally underprivileged children.
A portion of the funds raised on the night will be donated to the Jack and Jill foundation, and to the Irish Rugby Charitable Trust.
- Gordon Deegan
