Freedom honour for Oscar winner

Daniel Day-Lewis signs the book with county manager Eddie Sheehy

Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis has become the first person to receive the Freedom of County Wicklow.

The honour was conferred on the Irish actor by Wicklow County Council at a ceremony on Monday.

Mr Day-Lewis, who lives in Wicklow, received the award for the reflected honour he brought to the county and his contribution to the cinema.

He was also presented with a specially-commissioned "Sun Disc" created by local artist Brian Hackett.

He told the audience at Wicklow Campus, Rathnew, that he seeks refuge from the limelight in his hillside home in the village of Annamoe because it "gave him great physical and spiritual freedom" and the chance to restore himself for his next film role.

The actor said the honour had provided him with "one of the most poignant moments in his life".

"I have had many memorable days and great fortune in my life and this is one of the most memorable of them all," he said.

"I'm just astonished that this blessing has been honoured on me."

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