Mohammed Ali Monument

Did you know there is a connection between Ireland and Muhammad Ali? Ali's great grandfather, Abe Grady, is said to have originally come from the Turnpike area of Ennis town in County Clare. Muhammad Ali's great grandfather left the area in the 19th century to make a new life in Kentucky, USA, and married an African American woman. They had a daughter, Odessa Lee, who married Cassius Clay Senior and on January 17th, 1942 Cassius Junior was born. He became known as Muhammad Ali 'The Greatest' due to his boxing skills which gained him an Olympic Gold Medal. He went on to become three time World Heavyweight Champion. On Ali's visit to Ennis in 2009 he unveiled this monument commemorating his achievements and his local family roots. He became the town's first Honorary Freeman on the same day.