Claire Hanna has spoken of her pride at proposing Belfast poet Michael Longley for the Freedom of Belfast. Claire said “It was genuinely an honour to nominate at council last March and then help to present Michael Longley with the highest award the city can give, which recognises the enormous impact he has made to arts and culture in Belfast. Over the past 40 years only 4 individuals have received the Freedom of the City but it is right that we recognise greatness living in our midst and the exceptional contribution Michael Longley has made through his poetry, in his service at the Arts Council and indeed to meaningful reconciliation here. It is testimony to his achievements that the President of Ireland delivered the address at this celebration, exploring Michael Longley’s extraordi¬narily diverse range of poetic subjects. I’m proud that from my proposal Council has taken this step to honour one of Ireland’s finest artists.
