An Ennis, Co Clare, historian and author, Mr Sean Spellissy, has been made a freeman of the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, for his research into the history and archaeology of Clare and Irish family names.
His most recent work, The Merchants of Ennis, was published last November for the Ennis Chamber of Commerce. It records more than 700 surnames that had been associated with business in Clare for almost four centuries. He also produced Clare - County of Contrast, and Limerick - the Rich Land. Senator Edward Kennedy and Mayor Bud Caulfield of Lowell said Mr Spellissy's work was of special significance to them in view of the large Irish population in Lowell.