A day of pride as Grange’s double Olympian Christopher O’Donnell becomes first Freeman of County Sligo

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Heidi O'Donnell signing the visitors book at the Freedom of County Sligo Conferring Ceremony for Christopher O'Donnell at County Hall, Riverside, with Philip O'Donnell, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr. Donal Gilroy and Christopher O'Donnell. Photos: Carl Brennan.

Residents of Newtown, Grange , back from left, Sean McDonald, Grainne McDonald, Catherine Keogh, Mick Doherty, Elizabeth Doherty and Jimmy Keogh. Front, (l-r), Heidi O'Donnell, Christopher O'Donnell, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr. Donal Gilroy and Philip O'Donnell at the Freedom of County Sligo Conferring Ceremony for Christopher O'Donnell at County Hall, Riverside. Photos: Carl Brennan.

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Donal Gilroy presenting the Freedom of County Sligo certificate at the Freedom of County Sligo Conferring Ceremony for Christopher O'Donnell at County Hall, Riverside. Photos: Carl Brennan.

Christopher O'Donnell speaking at the Freedom of County Sligo Conferring Ceremony for Christopher O'Donnell at County Hall, Riverside. Photos: Carl Brennan.

Members of North Sligo Athletic Club from left, Niall Canning, Cllr. Marie Casserly, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr. Donal Gilroy, Christopher O'Donnell, Michael Carney, Marie Mullen, Mary Gilmartin, Rosemary Herity and Roddy Gaynor at the Freedom of County Sligo Conferring Ceremony for Christopher O'Donnell at County Hall, Riverside. Photos: Carl Brennan.

Fr Christy McHugh, Christopher O'Donnell and Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Donal Gilroy at the Freedom of County Sligo Conferring Ceremony for Christopher O'Donnell at County Hall, Riverside. Photos: Carl Brennan.

Sligo Community Games representatives from left, Noreen McDermott, Ann Kelly, Ann Taaffe, Christopher O'Donnell, Carmel Roberts, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Donal Gilroy and Catherine Keogh at the Freedom of County Sligo Conferring Ceremony for Christopher O'Donnell at County Hall, Riverside. Photos: Carl Brennan.

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Donal Gilroy, Chief Executive of Sligo County Council Martin Lydon and Freeman of County Sligo Christopher O'Donnell are joined by County Councillors and members of the Council's executive at the conferring ceremony. Photos: Carl Brennan.

Freeman of County Sligo Christopher O'Donnell is pictured with Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Donal Gilroy along with members of his family, friends and elected members of Sligo County Council. Photos: Carl Brennan.

Trevor Horan performing at the Freedom of County Sligo Conferring Ceremony for Christopher O'Donnell at County Hall, Riverside. Photos: Carl Brennan.

Some of those in attendance in County Hall for the conferring of Christopher O'Donnell as a Freeman of County Sligo. Photos: Carl Brennan.

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Donal Gilroy addresses the attendees at the conferring of Christopher O'Donnell as a Freeman of County Sligo in County Hall. Photos: Carl Brennan.

Family, friends, neighbours and coaches joined Grange’s Christopher O’Donnell in County Hall on Wednesday for the conferring of the Freedom of the County on Sligo’s double Olympian.

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Donal Gilroy expressed his “Immense pride and deep emotion as he bestowed the “highest honour on one of our own.”

While his prowess on the running track has put him in the international spotlight, Cllr Gilroy said it was in north Sligo where his talents were honed saying his “Family’s unwavering love and support” laid the foundation for the success that followed.

Cllr Gilroy said the day was an opportunity, “To honour your journey and the way you carried the name of Sligo, our name, with grace and amazing speed.”

Looking back at his early days on the sports field, Cllr Gilroy recalled, “He was once a young boy sprinting down the wing for Benbulben FC but fate had other plans for Christopher O’Donnell.”

The role played by North Sligo AC in Christopher’s sporting development was acknowledged by Cllr Gilroy with the guidance offered by the likes of Rosemary McGloin, Michael Carney and Roddy Gaynor highlighted by Cllr Gilroy who said “The transition from the football field to track and field was swift.”

Paying tribute to Christopher’s “Relentless pursuit of excellence”, Cllr Gilroy highlighted some of his glittering achievements. As well as competing at two Olympic Games, Christopher has also been national 400m champion on five occasions and was part of the Irish team that famously secured gold when they won the 4x400m mixed relay at the European Championship in Rome in 2023.

Recalling the scenes of celebration upon Christopher’s homecoming after the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Cllr Gilroy said, “The streets of Grange erupted in celebration, not because he had run fast but because he had run for us.”

Cllr Gilroy added, “As Cathaoirleach it is a solemn and profound privilege to bestow the freedom of Co Sligo. I might add it is the highlight of my year as Cathaoirleach.”

With the ceremonial part of the afternoon completed, Christopher addressed the Council Chamber as the first ever Freeman of County Sligo and acknowledged how special an occasion it was saying, “This is a huge honour for me.”

His relaxed demeanour didn’t tell the full story as Christopher had an eventful 24 hours to say the least in the lead-up to Wednesday’s ceremony. A delayed train resulted in a missed flight back to Ireland on Tuesday evening and ultimately a sleepless night before he boarded a 7am flight. Thankfully, there was no more drama with transport and he was he able to get home to Grange for some rest before the ceremony got underway!

Speaking about the honour that was bestowed upon him, Christopher said, “I rarely have time to reflect. This is a really good opportunity for me to reflect on what I have achieved and recognise all the people in the room who have helped me.

"I do get a huge sense of pride to be from Sligo. I travel a lot and I meet a lot of people. As I’ve moved away you appreciate what we have and the community we have. Anyone that I meet they are always well informed about Grange and about Sligo. I always claim to be the best promoter for Sligo.

A lot of the time I am going up against people from other countries with bigger backing and greater federation support but they don’t have the community support.”

Grange as a community is undoubtedly very proud of its double Olympian but Christopher is equally proud of his hometown and county and revealed he wears his club colours whenever the opportunity presents itself.”

"If I am not running for Ireland, or told otherwise, I always wear the North Sligo AC colours. I wore them when I finished second behind the world record holder.”

Hoping that his achievements may inspire Christopher added that he still has goals to achieve in what is an already glittering athletics career.

"I was never the best footballer or the fastest until I really worked at it and dedicated myself. I wanted to be a fast runner but you never think of the accolades. I hope this shows it is possible. ”I’m not planning on stopping any time soon, I’m hoping to get to a third Olympics. We have shown that it can be done, no matter where you are from if you have support behind you.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.