Legendary Waterford musician Gilbert O’Sullivan is set to receive the Freedom of Waterford City & County.
77-year-old O’Sullivan is a world renowned singer-songwriter who shot to global stardom in the 1970s, achieving six Number One singles and 16 hits in the Top 40.
The Cork Road native, who was born in December 1946, is also a three-time winner of the Ivor Novello Award - fondly known for hits such as ‘Nothing Rhymed’, ‘Clair’, ‘Get Down’ and ‘Alone Again (Naturally)’.
O’Sullivan moved to Swindon, England in the 1950s when the family emigrated on account of a job offer. His mother, May, ran a sweet shop in Waterford, and his father was a butcher with Clover Meats.
In 1972, O’Sullivan’s record sales surpassed ten million worldwide, and he was named as the number one male singer of the year.
The conferring of the Freedom of the City & County upon Gilbert O’Sullivan was unanimously adopted by councillors at the December meeting of Waterford City & County Council.
It was noted that O’Sullivan has accepted the honour, and a ceremony to bestow such will take place early in 2024.
