Muhammad Ali is coming to Ireland on September 1st!

[Oggie]

He has formally accepted an invitation to visit Ennis town, the place where Ali's great-grandfather came from and subsequently emigrated from during the 1860's.

RTE Sport: Muhammad Ali set for Ennis visit

Needless to say, I'm going to make sure this once in a lifetime day is free on my calendar no matter what the cost.

[Andre]

Good for you, hope theres a massive turn out for him . He is doing well considering everything he has to battle. We have to make the most of him while he lasts.
spread the luv for Mr Ali.

[Stander]

That is really cool! Ireland is a beautiful country. I've been there a number of times as my mother was born over there. The Greatest will enjoy his time seeing his roots i will imagine. Beautiful country with very friendly people.

[Rocky Balboa]

I thought he couldn't speak anymore? How could he anounce such intetions?

[generalbulldog]

I thought the Irish hated anyone that wasn't Irish and Catholic?

[OumaFan]

X 2

[Oggie]

I thought the Irish hated anyone that wasn't Irish and Catholic?

Where did you hear that?
You've got it all wrong my friend!















We just hate Protestant English.


On a side note, Ali is going to be the first honorary recipient of the 'Freedom of Ennis town' award.
Can someone please explain what the hell kind of use is that going to be to him? Is he going to set up camp in someone's garden and refuse to leave, citing his new award as the reason?

[Kev]

I thought the Irish hated anyone that wasn't Irish and Catholic?

Where did you hear that?
You've got it all wrong my friend!















We just hate Protestant English.


On a side note, Ali is going to be the first honorary recipient of the 'Freedom of Ennis town' award.
Can someone please explain what the hell kind of use is that going to be to him? Is he going to set up camp in someone's garden and refuse to leave, citing his new award as the reason?

I've often wondered what such an award actually bestows on a person.

Sadly such an award is entirely ceremonial. You cannot just walk into any resturant and say 'Hi I have the freedom of the city, prepare me and my guests some free food'! or even go the cinema and say 'Look, Key to the City! Let me in to watch Transformers', doesn't work like that.

There are some obscure medieval benefits, like Ali might be allowed to lead his sheep across the bridge during the hottest hour of the day and grow some crops on the city's finest communal grounds but he certainly won't be allowed to take a trip to the town's finest whore house and get his a party of beautiful ladies to take turns in sliding up and down his lap.

If was given the award I'd ask if I could just have instead a nice book of vouchers offering free meals at local resturants, free entry to the local zoo, some discounts on popular stores etc and maybe a free milk delivery for a year, much more valuable in real terms

[porkypara]

He has formally accepted an invitation to visit Ennis town, the place where Ali's great-grandfather came from and subsequently emigrated from during the 1860's.

RTE Sport: Muhammad Ali set for Ennis visit

Needless to say, I'm going to make sure this once in a lifetime day is free on my calendar no matter what the cost.

I know the west of Ireland quiet well but have no idea where Ennis is.

Where is it close to airport or ferry wise?

[Gandalf]

I never knew he was Irish. Everybody I meet from America seems to have Irish blood, so good old Cassius for following his roots.

[Kev]

I never knew he was Irish. Everybody I meet from America seems to have Irish blood, so good old Cassius for following his roots.

Ali's roots are frankly bizarre. A black muslim born and raised in a Christian country who traces his roots, not to Africa (or the Middle East) but to Ireland, a white, Catholic country?

[Youngblood]

Meh, I'd love to get a pic with Ali. Don't even care if he happened to be drooling on me as it got took. I don't care about the politics of the man.

He was my first hero ever in boxing. Still is today. Charisma galore, that matched his skill set.

[Stander]

I never knew he was Irish. Everybody I meet from America seems to have Irish blood, so good old Cassius for following his roots.

My mother was born in Mayo. My father is american predominately of Italian heritiage (his mother was an Immigrant from Sicily). There are 300 million Americans and 40 million claim Irish catholic heritage i think another 20 million Claim Ulster Scots heritage...I believe in regards to the second part. Thats alot of people. The only larger ethnic groups among caucasians are those carrying English and German heritage!

On another note I loved England as well. Probably the single best trip of my life. I was visiting my friends Territorial Army unit. Great partying and nights out. Fun country!!!

[Oggie]

He has formally accepted an invitation to visit Ennis town, the place where Ali's great-grandfather came from and subsequently emigrated from during the 1860's.

RTE Sport: Muhammad Ali set for Ennis visit

Needless to say, I'm going to make sure this once in a lifetime day is free on my calendar no matter what the cost.

I know the west of Ireland quiet well but have no idea where Ennis is.

Where is it close to airport or ferry wise?

Hey man, Ennis is nearest to Shannon Airport.
Here is a map:


You can see Ennis there in the middle.