'Huge honour' as Rhys McClenaghan gets freedom of the borough

Olympic gold medal gymnast Rhys McClenaghan has been awarded the freedom of the borough by Ards and North Down Borough Council.

The council said it was proud to confer its highest civic honour upon the European, Commonwealth, World and Olympic gold medallist.

McClenaghan, from Newtownards, who made history after winning Ireland's first gold medal in gymnastics at the Paris Olympics 2024, was made an MBE in December.

McClenaghan said the latest award was a "huge honour", adding the council had "supported me from when I was a 'young buck' coming through and are still supporting me to this very day".

The freedom of the borough is the highest honour that a council can bestow on any organisation or individual.

The official ceremony took place on Friday and a special public event was held on Sunday in Newtownards to mark the occasion.

The council said it was "in recognition of his outstanding achievements in sport and his exceptional contribution to the borough".

McClenaghan said it "means a huge amount for everybody in the town to come together, celebrate gymnastics - the sport that I love so much, and celebrate achievements from just a young kid from Newtownards that had big dreams".

"Hopefully it can inspire the younger generation to follow their dreams too."

A mural of McClenaghan was recently unveiled in Newtownards.

McClenaghan said he knew the artist who was painting it and that he was in trusted hands.

"When I was working towards Olympic gold, I didn't look past Olympic gold so it shows there is a lasting legacy with a gold medal," McClenaghan said.

"I just hope that it inspires - when people look up and see my face on the side of a wall they just know that guy who grew up in Newtownards can do it, then I can too."

Many attended the celebrations on Sunday including 11-year-old Maisie.

"Rhys has inspired me a lot, I really want to be like him and win an Olympic medal," she said.

"I would really like to do all the cool tumbles that he does."

McClenaghan's coach, Luke Carson, was also in attendance.

"It's really cool to get the local community involved in understanding a little bit more about gymnastics," Carson said.

"It's a phenomenal sport and has so many teachings."

The decision to bestow the honour on Mc Clenaghan was confirmed at a full council meeting in September 2024, following a cross-party motion.

Sunday's celebration included a gymnastic display and the opportunity for members of the public to meet McClenaghan.