Limerick's John is a Freeman of the City of London
Prestigious honour for Corbally-born architect
A LIMERICK-BORN architect has been given the Freedom of the City of London.
John McElgunn, who hails from Irish Estates in Corbally, received the prestigious honour at a special ceremony.
Mr McElgunn is a partner at Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, one of the world’s leading architectural firms which has worked on projects across the world.
In particular, he is responsible for the design of British Museum’s World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre.
Due to becoming a Freeman of the City of London, he has become a part of the Worshipful Company of Architects, a guild for professionals in that area.
He was given a special set of robes, and is also now entitled to call himself a 'liveryman'.
In old times, he would not have been able to practice as an architect without being part of the guild.
This ancient privilege is paid homage to at the ceremony, with the presence of a stuffed lamb!
The company partner received a parchment made of velom paper, inscribed with the same wording used since the Freedom began being conferred.
The honour was given at the Chamberlain's Court at the Guildhall in the City of London Corporation.
The tradition dates back to the Magna Carta and the ceremony has not changed since the Middle Ages.
The Magna Carta, issued in 1215 is the first document to put into writing the principle that the British king and his government are not above the law.
It sought to prevent the king from exploiting his power, and placed limits of royal authority by establishing law as a power in itself.