OLYMPIC swimming champion Michelle Smith last night received the "Freedom of South Dublin" at a ceremony in Tallaght. The triple gold medallist is the first citizen of South Dublin to receive the honour of the freedom of the area and she will be the first signatory of a new register for future honoured citizens.
About 150 people attended the ceremony at South Dublin County council's headquarters in the Square. The council's chairwoman, Cllr Therese Ridge, presented Ms Smith with a framed canvas print of the Jack Yeats painting The Liffey Swim. The original is in the National Gallery and depicts a crowd watching three swimmers in what was thought to be the first Liffey swim. Ms Smith's parents and other members of her family were at the ceremony, where music and entertainment was provided by local bands and schools.
The athlete is also expected to present swimming certificates to up to 2,000 pupils today at Clondalkin sports and leisure complex and at the Tallaght Community School sports complex. The children took part in a programme run by Michelle Smith in conjunction with South Dublin's swimming development programme.