Menu
07/11/2012
Liam Neeson Awarded Ballymena Honour
Liam Neeson has been offered the Freedom of the Borough of Ballymena.
Ballymena Borough Council has unanimously agreed to offer the award to the Northern Irish actor.
The agreement came following a council meeting on Monday evening in which the Mayor of Ballymena PJ McAvoy made the proposal.
It is expected that a ceremony could take place next year.
Liam Neeson said he was honoured and delighted to accept the accolade.
Speaking from his home in New York, Neeson said: "Enormous strides have been made in my native Northern Ireland in the past decade, demonstrated by political, social and economic changes that came about through a combination of courage, generosity and persistence."
Ballymena Mayor PJ McAvoy has welcomed the decision to award the honour.
"I am absolutely delighted that my colleagues have unanimously agreed to offer what is a very significant honour to Liam Neeson," he said.
"This is the highest accolade that a Council can bestow on one of its citizens."
Liam Neeson joins three other people who have been awarded the freedom of Ballymena; Dr Ian Paisley, Dr Syd Millar and Sandy Spence.
The news follows a decision by DUP councillors in 2000 to object to the proposal because of comments supposedly made by Liam Neeson in an Amercian magazine interview.
He is quoted as saying he felt "second class" as a Catholic growing up in the mainly Protestant town and that he had to stay indoors during the 12 July parades.
Neeson wrote a letter to the council following the decision at that time.
It said: "I will always remain very proud of my upbringing in, and association with, the town and my country of birth, which I will continue to promote at every opportunity.
"Indeed I regard the enduring support over the years from all sections of the community in Ballymena as being more than sufficient recognition for any success which I may have achieved as an actor."
(IT/GK)
Ballymena Borough Council has unanimously agreed to offer the award to the Northern Irish actor.
The agreement came following a council meeting on Monday evening in which the Mayor of Ballymena PJ McAvoy made the proposal.
It is expected that a ceremony could take place next year.
Liam Neeson said he was honoured and delighted to accept the accolade.
Speaking from his home in New York, Neeson said: "Enormous strides have been made in my native Northern Ireland in the past decade, demonstrated by political, social and economic changes that came about through a combination of courage, generosity and persistence."
Ballymena Mayor PJ McAvoy has welcomed the decision to award the honour.
"I am absolutely delighted that my colleagues have unanimously agreed to offer what is a very significant honour to Liam Neeson," he said.
"This is the highest accolade that a Council can bestow on one of its citizens."
Liam Neeson joins three other people who have been awarded the freedom of Ballymena; Dr Ian Paisley, Dr Syd Millar and Sandy Spence.
The news follows a decision by DUP councillors in 2000 to object to the proposal because of comments supposedly made by Liam Neeson in an Amercian magazine interview.
He is quoted as saying he felt "second class" as a Catholic growing up in the mainly Protestant town and that he had to stay indoors during the 12 July parades.
Neeson wrote a letter to the council following the decision at that time.
It said: "I will always remain very proud of my upbringing in, and association with, the town and my country of birth, which I will continue to promote at every opportunity.
"Indeed I regard the enduring support over the years from all sections of the community in Ballymena as being more than sufficient recognition for any success which I may have achieved as an actor."
(IT/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 February 2017
Liam Neeson Backs Campaign For All Children In NI To Be Educated Together
Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson is supporting a new campaign for all children in NI to be educated together. Mr Neeson, who is from Ballymena, released a short video backing an initiative from the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) to make integrated education available in almost every school.
Liam Neeson Backs Campaign For All Children In NI To Be Educated Together
Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson is supporting a new campaign for all children in NI to be educated together. Mr Neeson, who is from Ballymena, released a short video backing an initiative from the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) to make integrated education available in almost every school.
13 June 2013
Belfast Mayor Awards Liam Neeson
Newly appointed Lord Mayor of Belfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has presented Liam Neeson with the first-ever Belfast Ambassador Commendation as part of a three-day trip to New York. An initiative of the new Lord Mayor, the Belfast Ambassador Award will be presented to ex-pats and locals who are outstanding advocates for the people and city of Belfast.
Belfast Mayor Awards Liam Neeson
Newly appointed Lord Mayor of Belfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has presented Liam Neeson with the first-ever Belfast Ambassador Commendation as part of a three-day trip to New York. An initiative of the new Lord Mayor, the Belfast Ambassador Award will be presented to ex-pats and locals who are outstanding advocates for the people and city of Belfast.
17 December 2010
Northern Bank 'Sets Scene' For Lyric
The Lyric Theatre has announced a major funding boost as details of a five-year partnership with Northern Bank were revealed at an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to the new theatre. Building work is nearing completion and the Lyric will reopen its doors on Sunday 1 May 2011 with a gala performance on the newly named Northern Bank Stage.
Northern Bank 'Sets Scene' For Lyric
The Lyric Theatre has announced a major funding boost as details of a five-year partnership with Northern Bank were revealed at an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to the new theatre. Building work is nearing completion and the Lyric will reopen its doors on Sunday 1 May 2011 with a gala performance on the newly named Northern Bank Stage.
29 July 2010
Loss Of Film Council 'Deplorable': Neeson
Just a day after the acclaimed film-maker Mike Leigh condemned "shocking" government plans to scrap the UK Film Council - the body which supports the British movie industry - Co Antrim actor Liam Neeson has called the decision to axe the organisation "deplorable".
Loss Of Film Council 'Deplorable': Neeson
Just a day after the acclaimed film-maker Mike Leigh condemned "shocking" government plans to scrap the UK Film Council - the body which supports the British movie industry - Co Antrim actor Liam Neeson has called the decision to axe the organisation "deplorable".
03 March 2005
Councils begin ‘Kerbie’ cleanup across NI
Local councils have begun the biggest ever simultaneous rollout of kerbside recycling schemes ever undertaken in Northern Ireland.
Councils begin ‘Kerbie’ cleanup across NI
Local councils have begun the biggest ever simultaneous rollout of kerbside recycling schemes ever undertaken in Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
