Mayo's Claire Tighe awarded 'Freeman of the City of London' for community work
Mayo woman Claire Tighe has officially been confirmed as a Freeman of the City of London at a ceremony in the Guildhall, London.
The proud accolade recognises her work in the London Irish community and British Irish relations.
Claire was born in West London and spent early years in Ealing. Later, Claire's family, her parents Martin and Anne and brother Paul, moved to Mayo.
Her parents, Martin and Ann, hail from Ballycastle in north Mayo and moved to London in the 1970s.
Claire is a past pupil of Lisaniska Primary School, Knockmore, and St. Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina.
Receiving the recognition, Claire Tighe, said: “It is an honour beyond belief to receive the Freedom of the City of London.
"I dedicate it to the generations who came over, on whose shoulders we stand. They worked hard to give us chances that they did not have.
"Building the roads and skylines of this city, in the canteen on construction sites, as nurses in the NHS, taxi driving, building up opportunities for the next generations that they didn’t have - a story of progression and hope, of one generation to the next.
"London gave them a footing; a place to live, love, work and call home. I wouldn’t be here today without them and their hard work and courage.”
Joining at the Ceremony were notable guests, including Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP and former Lord Mayor of London Vincent Keaveny.
Claire’s father Martin and brother Paul joined for the ceremony along with family and friends right across the UK and Ireland.
Rt. Hon Hilary Benn MP, Labour MP for Leeds South, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland July 2024-2026: “Claire has such great ability to build bridges. She always works to find common ground between people whether in the London Irish community, in Northern Ireland or between Britain and Ireland.
"And everything she does is devoted to bringing people together to try and build a better tomorrow.”
Claire was nominated for the Freedom of the City by Liveryman David O'Reilly, London Director, the British Irish Chamber of Commerce and Liveryman Vince Dignam, City of London, Senior Warden of Worshipful company of Carmen Livery.
She was nominated for her work in the London Irish community across business, culture, politics and sport, and British Irish relations.
David O'Reilly, London Director, the British Irish Chamber of Commerce: “I have worked closely with Claire on a number of Irish-UK initiatives and events over many years across a number of her roles in London, and have seen at first hand her commitment to public service and her passion for helping others.
"She has been a great support to many of us in the Irish business and cultural community in London through her very important work over many years promoting, supporting and nurturing the exceptionally strong bonds and links between the UK and Ireland across multiple areas, including commerce, culture, the arts, civic life, politics, sports, and through her dedicated local community work.
"I was truly proud and delighted, together with my fellow liveryman in the City of London, Vince Dignam, to support Claire's nomination for the Freedom of the City of London.”
Vince Dignam, City of London, Senior Warden of Worshipful company of Carmen Livery, stated: “I have known Claire for some years now, meeting at an Irish charity event where Claire was involved with the community and our friendship grew from there.
"Claire is always at the heart of communities and people, supporting, linking people, working in business and politics, her dedication is amazing and does it without fuss. So kind and thoughtful, listens and delivers.
"Proud of her Irish heritage, that shines through as well as proud London roots too. It was a privilege to nominate Claire for the Freedom of the City of London alongside my fellow liveryman David O’Reilly, so well deserved.”
Recipients of this historic civil honour, dating back to 1237, traditionally held the privilege of herding their sheep toll-free across the River Thames.
Today, the Freedom of the City is largely a symbolic and prestigious award. It is used by the City of London Corporation to recognise individuals for outstanding contributions to public life, high achievement in their fields, or long-standing service to London.
Claire added the great honour it was to receive this historic award, she said: “To get the Freedom of the City of London is an honour beyond belief. It doesn’t quite seem real! But if 2026 is the year Mayo can win Sam Maguire in the All Ireland, anything seems possible.”
* Claire’s parents, aunts and uncles worked in construction, including around Heathrow, in catering, as nurses in NHS, taxi driving and built their lives in London.
Her mum Anne worked in a bank in the City when she first moved to London, coming out of Bank tube station, just down the road from where the ceremony takes place at the Guildhall.
Claire went to Lisaniska Primary School in Knockmore and St Mary’s Secondary School in Ballina. She studied English and History in Trinity College Dublin, becoming Deputy President of the Students’ Union as and later studied in the London School of Economics and Political Science, where her research focused on British Irish relations and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Ireland.
Claire worked as Special Advisor to Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, who served as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland July 2024 - July 2026. Previously, she worked for Keir Starmer MP as Leader of the Opposition, working on relations with Labour’s Metro Mayors including now Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.
She served for five years as a Labour Councillor in Hanwell, Ealing and stood as a parliamentary candidate at the last general election.
She now works as Special Advisor to Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP.
She has also been heavily involved with various community organisations in London, particularly within the Irish diaspora.