Bruce Springsteen's Ancestor To Be Honored With Tree Planting

FREEHOLD BOROUGH, NJ — Freehold Borough will team up with Rathangan, County Kildare, Ireland, to honor Bruce Springsteen's great-great-grandmother on Thursday.

At 11 a.m., Ann Garrity, the ancestor of "Freehold's favorite son," will be honored with the planting of a Copper Beech Tree at the Monmouth County Historical Association in Freehold.

When Garrity first arrived in Freehold many years ago, she planted a Copper Beech Tree that she brought with her from Rathangan in front of the family homestead on Randolph Street.

This is the same family homestead upon which a young Bruce Springsteen used to play, officials said.

To commemorate Garrity's arrival in Freehold and the lasting bonds between the borough and Rathangan as reflected in the communities' twinning agreement, a new Copper Beech Tree will be planted.

The planting ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

• Read More: Springsteen The 'Tie That Binds' Freehold and Rathangan In Ireland
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“It speaks to the Irish immigrants,” Glenn Cashion, the first VP of the Monmouth County Historical Association and Bruce's cousin, told the Asbury Park Press.

“They came over here after the (Irish) famine, including our family, and immigration of all types,” he continued. “It's a good symbol. It carries more than Bruce's significance — it carries the whole symbolism of Irish immigration.”

The public is invited to attend the tree planting ceremony at the Historical Association at 70 Court Street, Freehold, at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

According to the report from the Asbury Park Press, Freehold Mayor Kevin Kane, delegates of Rathangan and members of the Springsteen family will attend.