O'Rourke sisters to be given 'Freedom of Roscommon' at event this week

The achievements in the boxing ring of sisters Aoife and Lisa O'Rourke will see them being awarded the Freedom of Roscommon at a ceremony in the county's civic offices this Thursday (December 8).

This award is the highest civic honour that can be bestowed on a person in Roscommon. It was previously granted to Jim Callery, the late Brian O’Doherty, actor Chris O'Dowd and former President Mary McAleese along with her husband, Martin.

Members of Roscommon County Council unanimously agreed to confer the Freedom of Roscommon on both Aoife and Lisa earlier this year.

The boxers from Tarmon, outside Castlerea, have produced outstanding performances on the international stage in recent years.

Last May, at the age of just 20, Lisa O'Rourke won a gold medal on her debut at the world championships in Istanbul.

Her sister Aoife (25) represented Ireland at the Olympics in Tokyo last year. In October of this year she won her second European gold medal, becoming the first Irish female boxer to successfully defend a European title since Katie Taylor.

The Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Tom Crosby, accompanied by its chief executive, Shane Tiernan, will present Aoife and Lisa with their 'Freedom of Roscommon' awards at a ceremony in the council's headquarters, Aras an Chontae, this Thursday evening.