Mayo woman Claire Tighe awarded Freedom of the City of London
Claire Tighe, a Mayo woman, has been confirmed as a Freeman of the City of London, in recognition of her work in the London Irish community and British-Irish relations, at a ceremony in the Guildhall, London.
Mayo woman Claire Tighe was officially confirmed as a Freeman of the City of London last week, at a ceremony in the Guildhall, London.
The award recognises Claire’s work in the London Irish community and British-Irish relations.
Claire was born in West London and spent her early years in Ealing. Later, Claire's family, her parents Martin and Anne and brother Paul, moved to Mayo.
Speaking on receiving the recognition, Claire said it was an honour beyond belief to receive the Freedom of the City of London.
“I dedicate it to the generations who came over, on whose shoulders we stand. They worked hard to give us chances that they did not have. Building the roads and skylines of this city, in the canteen on construction sites, as nurses in the NHS, taxi driving, building up opportunities for the next generations that they didn’t have - a story of progression and hope, of one generation to the next.
“London gave them a footing; a place to live, love, work and call home. I wouldn’t be here today without them and their hard work and courage,” she said.
Guests of the ceremony included Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP and former Lord Mayor of London Vincent Keaveny. Claire’s father Martin and brother Paul joined for the ceremony along with family and friends right across the UK and Ireland.
Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Labour MP for Leeds South, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, July 2024-2026 said:
“All of us who know Claire are delighted that she is receiving this award.
“Claire has such great ability to build bridges. She always works to find common ground between people, whether in the London Irish community, in Northern Ireland or between Britain and Ireland.
“And everything she does is devoted to bringing people together to try and build a better tomorrow,” she said.
Claire was nominated for the Freedom of the City by Liveryman David O'Reilly, London Director, the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, and Liveryman Vince Dignam, City of London, Senior Warden of Worshipful Company of Carmen Livery. She was nominated for her work in the London Irish community across business, culture, politics, and sport, and in British-Irish relations.
Speaking on the award, David O’Reilly, London Director of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, said he has seen firsthand the commitment to public service and her passion for helping others.
“She has been a great support to many of us in the Irish business and cultural community in London through her very important work over many years promoting, supporting and nurturing the exceptionally strong bonds and links between the UK and Ireland across multiple areas, including commerce, culture, the arts, civic life, politics, sports, and through her dedicated local community work.
“I was truly proud and delighted, together with my fellow liveryman in the City of London, Vince Dignam, to support Claire's nomination for the Freedom of the City of London,” he said.
Recipients of this historic civil honour, dating back to 1237, traditionally held the privilege of herding their sheep toll-free across the River Thames. Today, the Freedom of the City is largely a symbolic and prestigious award. It is used by the City of London Corporation to recognise individuals for outstanding contributions to public life, high achievement in their fields, or long-standing service to London.
“To get the Freedom of the City of London is an honour beyond belief. It doesn’t quite seem real! But if 2026 is the year Mayo can win Sam Maguire in the All-Ireland, anything seems possible,” Claire concluded.