Two of Kilkenny’s finest sons were bestowed with the highest honour possible by their native city when they were made Freemen of the city of Kilkenny at the weekend.
Surrounded by family and friends the county’s and possibly the country’s most successful hurling manager, Brian Cody, and former ceann comhairle Seamus Pattison accepted the awards at a ceremony held in Kilkenny Castle on Saturday night.
Accepting the honour, Labour’s longest serving TD, having served in Dáil Éireann for 22 years, said he was “overawed and overwhelmed” and a “I think a little bit over the moon.”
Mayor of Kilkenny Pat Crotty told the gathering that in giving the Freedom of the City to Seamus Pattison they were “righting a wrong that had been done to him.” The mayor was referring to a controversial secret ballot taken last year by members of Kilkenny Borough Council in which it was decided then not to give Mr Pattison the Freedom of the City.
“Twelve people here tonight know that a wrong was done, and I am glad that we can now right that wrong. And it takes a fair person to accept it when he could have walked away and told us what to do with it,” said the mayor.
The hurling manager said that it was he who should be overawed and overwhelmed by the honour; “Seamus has given a lifetime to Kilkenny city and county and the State over many years. And he is the one most worthy,” said a modest Brian Cody.
“And to be given this honour for my pastime and doing something I love is very special.”
He added that the success on the field was down to outstanding players and the great success he enjoyed was a testament to the organisation of the GAA’s county officers, the county board, backroom team and work colleagues.
Referring to one of the privileges as a Freeman of the City, “that if the police ever found him to be drunk on the street that he was entitled to a taxi home rather than be put in a cell,” Mr Cody joked, “it’s handy to know if I ever need a taxi, it’s there.”
Since 1999, the Kilkenny senior hurling manager has led the county to six All-Ireland victories, including the famous three-in-a-row from 2006 to 2008, nine Leinster titles and four National Hurling League titles.
Cllr Joe Reidy said that from an early age it was obvious that the GAA and hurling would be a major part of Brian Cody’s life. He also paid tribute to the man who influenced Brian Cody’s career most of all, his late father Bill.“There was never an underage game being played that Bill Cody wasn’t on the sideline.”
Cllr Martin Brett also mentioned the tremendous work and dedication that the vice principal of St Patrick’s De La Salle school has shown throughout his professional career.
Referring to the hurling manager’s modesty on the momentous occasion Mayor Crotty added, “This honour is not about age or longevity, it’s about achievement. And so Brian Cody is deserving of the honour.”
Proposing the motion that Seamus Pattison be given the Freedom of the City, Labour Cllr Marie Fitzpatrick said that there was a degree of sadness about the occasion as it was the wish of the recently deceased Cllr Joe Cody, that Seamus Pattison be given the honour.
“In all of his long, distinguished career, Seamus Pattison never forgot his roots, which are buried deep in the rich heritage and strong communities of his parish, his city, his county and the Labour Party. He was a man of the people,” added Fianna Fáil Cllr Andrew McGuinness.
Mr Pattison added that it was a great honour and privilege to serve the people of Kilkenny and the State for over 46 years.
“As a member of the local authority for over 33 years I am aware of the value and the prestige of this award,” he said.
He also acknowledged the tremendous loyalty of all of his supporters down through the years and made a special reference to his father James.
He also made fond references to the significance of the ceremony’s venue in Kilkenny Castle’s Parade Tower as he recalled working for an insurance company in the former Bank of Ireland building across the road many years ago..
“I had been asked to run as a candidate in a Carlow-Kilkenny election and remember asking the regional manager for time off. ‘Pattison,’ he said to me, ‘you haven’t a snowball’s chance of getting into Dáil Éireann.’ As you know, I got in and had to give up the job. And standing here I am now able to look into that window,” he quipped.
Seamus Pattison contested 12 elections as a Labour candidate from 1961 until his retirement in 2007 and was elected ceann comhairle of the 28th Dáil in 1997 and leas cheann comhairle of the 29th Dáil in 2002. He also served as Mayor of Kilkenny three times in, 1967, 1976 and 1992 and was chairman of Kilkenny County Council in 1975 and 1980.
