The award-winning musician, who has a long standing association with Buncrana, will be conferred with the honour by Donegal County Council on Thursday afternoon.

Mr. Coulter last night told the 'Journal' that he was "immensely flattered" by the tribute.

"I'm really thrilled by this. Receiving this award has a very special ring for me because it's about a lot of my personal history."

The singer-songwriter will be the first non-Donegal native to be given honour.

"Although I have to say Derry is obviously my home and the town I love so well, Donegal is very much my spiritual home."

Mr. Coulter has had a home in Buncrana for many years but his relationship with the area also has a much more sombre tone.

"A lifelong relationship with anywhere is not going to be always sunny. My thoughts of Lough Swilly in particular range from the most idyllic of memories of the cottage at Lisfannon - where I spent a lot of time while growing up - to the other end of scale, losing both my brother and sister to drowning in the lough."

Mr. Coulter's many works include the emotive song 'The Town I Loved So Well', the perennial party favourite 'Congratulations', the Eurovision Song Contest winner 'Puppet on a String' and the Irish rugby anthem 'Ireland's Call'.

Mr. Coulter is the third recipient of the specially commissioned award which will be presented by Donegal's Mayor John Boyle, who said it was "in recognition of his wonderful career and his special relationship with the county".

The presentation will take place at a civic reception at the County House, Lifford, at 2pm on Thursday.