The Corrs say the Civic Reception in Dundalk was a “moment we will cherish for the rest of our lives”
The Civic Reception was held in An Táin Arts Centre on Friday evening to honour The Corrs, one of Dundalk and Ireland’s most successful and much-loved bands.
The Corrs told the gathered audience at the Civic Reception in their honour that it was a “moment we will cherish for the rest of our lives”.
The Civic Reception was held in An Táin Arts Centre on Friday evening to honour The Corrs, one of Dundalk and Ireland’s most successful and much-loved bands.
Hosted by Louth County Council, the event celebrated the remarkable career and global success of Andrea, Caroline, Jim and Sharon Corr, whose achievements have brought international acclaim and pride to their hometown and county.
The audience was treated to an intimate concert which capped an incredible day with the band viewing The Corrs mural and opening an exhibition in their honour at the County Museum.
Jim Corr, speaking on behalf of the band at the Civic Reception, told the audience: “It is with immense gratitude that we accept this civic honour, the highest recognition that Louth County Council and the people of Dundalk and County Louth can bestow.
“To be recognised in this way, in a place so rich in community spirit and shared history, is something we could never have imagined. It is a moment we will cherish for the rest of our lives.
“We extend our sincere thanks to the Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Seán Kelly, the elected members, Chief Executive David Conway and all of the Council staff who have worked so hard to make this occasion possible.
“We are deeply grateful to our family, friends and all those who have supported us over the years - from our earliest days to the present - whose encouragement and belief have meant more than words can express.
“This recognition from our hometown is especially poignant. Our parents, Jean and Gerry Corr, who inspired our love of music and instilled in us the values that have guided us, would have been incredibly proud.
“We dedicate this honour to their memory, and to the people of Dundalk and County Louth, whose warmth and support have always meant so much to us.”
The renowned family band signed the County Roll of Honour, before taking their seats as the ceremony began with a welcome from Joanna Kelly, Acting Director of Services, Louth County Council, who invited Dita Durse, Glenn Shields and Stephen Grey from Louth County Council Fire & Rescue Service to display the National Flag and the flag of County Louth.
The Corrs were then presented with a Civic Honour Scroll by Cllr Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council and received specially commissioned pieces of jewellery, created by Garrett Mallon Design House in Carlingford.
A live fireside chat with music journalist Dave Fanning followed, where the band spoke about their musical journey.
During the Q&A Caroline revealed that the band was recording a new album.
She shared: "We’ve been doing a lot of different types of things the last few years, and we are recording another album, which I have to say, is a real surprise to us, actually.
“ Obviously, we’ve worked together for so many years, being family, and we always think, 'oh my god, are we ever going to do, will we ever do another record?'”
"Because every time we go in, we start it, and we think, 'okay, well, this before we go'. We think, 'oh, this would be no problem, we'll just get in there, we'll do a couple of songs'. And then inevitably it turns into something else, and we've just decided to keep going with this, and hopefully we'll get it finished at some point.”
Andrea also reminisced about how her and her sisters worked and performed in McManus bar in Dundalk, joking: “We were mostly pulling pints, that's our real talents as many of you know!
“There was certain people who wouldn't want to be served by me as Sharon Corr poured a better pint.”
She also paid tribute to their 'remarkable parents' Gerry and Jean who always believed in them and supported their dream of having a successful music career.
Firefighter Niall Clarke, from Louth County Council Fire & Rescue Service, brought the ceremony to a close with a performance of the National Anthem.
After a brief interval, The Corrs returned to the stage where the invited guests - including members of the public who secured tickets through a special public draw - were treated to an intimate performance, the band’s first in Dundalk in almost three decades.
It capped an incredible end to a memorable day, which also saw the siblings attend the official viewing of The Corrs mural at the Longwalk and the opening of a new exhibition, All The Way Home: A Celebration of The Corrs, at the County Museum, Dundalk.
Cllr Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: “The Corrs are not only globally successful artists, but proud Dundalk natives whose story began here in Ard Easmuinn, where their love of music first took shape.
“Many people will fondly associate their early days with McManus’ Bar in Seatown, a place woven into the fabric of the town, where they performed and worked as young musicians, long before international fame followed.
“Their journey is also a testament to the influence of their late parents, Jean and Gerry Corr, talented musicians themselves who nurtured that passion for music from an early age and performed themselves locally for many years.
“It is fitting to acknowledge that this remarkable success story has its roots in a family deeply connected to music, community and place.
“While The Corrs have gone on to achieve extraordinary international acclaim, they have always remained closely connected to Dundalk and County Louth.
“This civic reception is not only a recognition of their outstanding achievements, but an opportunity for us, as a county, to express how proud we are of all that they have accomplished, and to honour a journey that began right here at home in Dundalk.”
David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, said: “From their beginnings in Dundalk to achieving global success, they have built an extraordinary career defined by musical excellence, creativity and enduring appeal.
“Their musical achievements place them among Ireland’s most successful artists, while their strong sense of identity and connection to home has remained constant throughout.
“In honouring The Corrs, we celebrate not only their remarkable success, but the pride and inspiration they continue to bring to Dundalk, County Louth and to Ireland.”
As the highest honour a local authority can bestow, a civic reception recognises individuals or groups whose achievements have made a significant impact at local, national and international level - a distinction reflected in The Corrs’ exceptional musical career and global success.