Boxing legend Muhammad Ali made a sentimental journey Tuesday to discover his Irish roots, and met distant relatives during celebrations at the local town hall and a nearby castle.
Thousands lined the streets of Ennis, western Ireland, to cheer the motorcade carrying Ali as the three-time world heavyweight champion visited the home of his great-grandfather Abe Grady.
Abe Grady settled in the U.S. state of Kentucky in the 1860s and married a freed slave. One of their grandchildren, Odessa Lee Grady Clay, gave birth to the Greatest of All Time, Ali — then Cassius Clay — in 1942.
Fans adorned streets with red, white and blue USA bunting and flags, while shop windows competed to display the most impressive posters honoring Ali--or should we call him O'Ali?
Wow! I guess most of us have some ancestors in Europe. It is interesting he was able to trace his heritage that far back.
ReplyDeleteI'd have ancestors in poland if they pay for my family to visit, motorcade my black ass thru town and put up a plaque in my honor
ReplyDeleteHe got a little Irish in 'em huh.
ReplyDeleteerin go black
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