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Girl injured in Jet Ski crash
25.05.10
by Linda McGrory
PLAYWRIGHT Frank McGuinness became the first
honorary freeman of his hometown on Friday as
family, friends and neighbours gathered to see
Buncrana's most celebrated son bestowed with its
highest honour.
The award-winning writer, who is professor of
creative writing at UCD’s School of English, was
clearly overwhelmed by the occasion, giving a moving
acceptance speech that was funny, poignant, happy
and sincere.
In it, he thanked his entire family and paid
touching tributes to his late parents, Packie and
Celine, his sister Eilish, brother Shane and his
partner of over 30 years, Philip Tilling.
"I am very touched, very moved and very happy today.
It was a lovely thing for Buncrana District Council
to do and I only wish that my mother and father were
here to see it," he said. "This is a very proud
moment for myself and it is one I am sharing with my
whole family," he told InishowenNews.com. |
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Prof McGuinness said
Buncrana was very close to his heart and had
inspired three of his many plays, namely, ‘The
Factory Girls’, ‘Dolly West’s Kitchen’ and his
latest work, ‘Greta Garbo Came to Donegal’.
Plans for the honour were set in motion earlier this
year by Buncrana mayor, Cllr Lee Tedstone, who said
the conferring was "long overdue".
"Frank McGuinness is an internationally-recognised
playwright who has made a major contribution to the
arts and academic life. The bestowing of this honour
is in recognition of him as a great ambassador for
our town and county and is a chance for the people
of Buncrana to tell him how proud we are of him,"
said Cllr Tedstone.
Prof McGuinness grew up in Marian Park, Buncrana,
and was educated at St Columba’s N.S., Buncrana,
Carndonagh Community School and UCD.
The writer was presented with a framed parchment
carrying the formal citation of the freedom of the
town as well as a plaque bearing the Buncrana coat
of arms. He received a gift of a portrait of
himself, painted by local artist, Terry Tedstone and
was presented with poems and stories, with a
Buncrana theme, written by children from the local
primary school, Scoil Iosagain. The ceremony at the
town’s civic offices was followed by a finger-food
reception and music at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel.
For more photos click
here and to read Frank McGuinness' speech
click here . |
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