Castleisland Well Represented at Dan Tim’s Freedom of London Sheep Drive

Patrick and Noreen Healy with strong Knocknagoshel connections pictured at DanTim O’Sullivan’s Freedom of London ceremony in London recently. Photograph: Ted Kenny.

Taking in the London based Danny Broderick’s big birthday party in London were: Cllr. Charlie Farrelly, Dan Pembroke, Castleisland and London with Danny, J.J. and Joan Broderick and Martina O’Mahony, Castleisland

Dan Tim O’Sullivan pictured with Cllr. Charlie Farrelly and Martina O’Mahony during the South Kerry native’s Freedom of London ceremony recently.

Castleisland native, Londod based, Dan Pembroke pictured with Jimmy Deenihan at Dan Tim O’Sullivan’s big day in London. Photograph: Ted Kenny

Recently re-appointed Kerry senior football team manager Jack O’Connor with Ted Kenny Castleisland in Lodnon for Dan Tim O’Sullivan’s ceremonial sheep drive.

The story of teenager Dan Tim O’Sullivan uprooting from his South Kerry home with the shirt on his back and a few pounds to tide him over is one that could be applied to so many others from rural Ireland.

That was 50 years ago. Where Dan Tim’s story differs from so many others is that he found that ladder he was looking for and took it one careful, determined step after another and got to where he wanted to be.

Just recently that determination was rewarded when he was granted the Freedom of London – his adopted city. The honour came in the middle of Covid-19 restrictions and couldn’t be celebrated or ceremoniously enacted until just recently.

Sheep over Southwark Bridge

In accepting the honour, there’s a custom that the honoured is granted the freedom to drive a flock of sheep over Southwark Bridge in London.

The ceremony was a great Kerry occasion and it couldn’t held without a Castleisland involvement.

SIPTU official Ted Kenny put his phone to good use as part of the Castleisland delegation in London for the occasion and he sent them to us to share with our readers.

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