Muhammad Ali made first freeman of Irish ancestral home

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali will be honoured today as the first Freeman of his ancestral home in Ireland.

The former world heavyweight champion will visit the birthplace of his great grandfather in Ennis, Co Clare, where he is expected to be given a hero's welcome.

The 67-year-old will attend a civic reception in Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, before he tours the town.

Ali's great grandfather, Abe Grady, emigrated from his home on the Turnpike Road in Ennis to the US in the 1860s.

He sailed from Cappa Harbour in Kilrush, Co Clare, eventually settling in Kentucky where he married an African-American woman.

Their son also married an African-American and one of their daughters was Ali's mother, Odessa
Lee Grady.

She married Cassius Clay senior, and they settled in Louisville, where their son was initially given his father's name on his birth in 1942.

He changed his name to Muhammad Ali when he converted to the Nation of Islam after winning the world title in 1964.

The town council recently voted unanimously to make Ali, who is fighting Parkinson's disease, the first Honorary Freeman of Ennis in recognition of his ancestral links with the area, unrivalled sporting achievements and contribution to educational and charitable causes.

The champion boxer will travel in a convoy to the site of his ancestral home and it is hoped he will walk about and meet wellwishers.

It is understood this stage of the visit depends on Ali's health.

Tens of thousands of fans are expected to attend public events in Ennis with large screens erected in a car park relaying images from the reception.

The champion boxer will later attend a private function in the luxury Dromoland Castle where an invited list of guests have been offered the chance to meet him.

Ali's trip to Ireland featured a charity dinner in Dublin last night where he was guest of honour at a 650 euro a head black tie event in aid of the Alltech-Muhammad Ali Centre Global Education and Charitable Fund.

Two Irish charities also benefited from the night.

Ali will also be given a tour of the new football and rugby Aviva Stadium in Dublin, formerly Lansdowne Road, where he will be presented with a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.