Former President Barack Obama has received the Freedom of the City of Dublin, the city’s most prestigious civic honor.
Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Ray McAdam, officially presented President Obama with the award this afternoon, recognizing his historic achievements, dedication to equality, and lasting contributions to public life.
The Freedom of the City is reserved for individuals who have made a significant global impact and whose values resonate with those of Dubliners. At the ceremony, Councillor McAdam said, “It is my great honor, on behalf of the citizens of Dublin, to confer the Freedom of the City upon President Barack Obama.”
While Obama was born to an American mother and a Kenyan father, his maternal lineage includes Irish roots. One ancestor, Falmouth Kearney, a shoemaker from Moneygall, left Ireland during the Great Famine in 1850 at age 19, eventually settling in Ohio, where he married and started a family.
READ MORE: ‘Sickened’ Trump issues chilling four-word warning to parents after Charlie Kirk killing
READ MORE: Joe Biden undergoes skin cancer surgery in 82-year-old’s latest health struggle
Councillor McAdam added, “This award recognizes not only his remarkable achievements as President of the United States, but also his steadfast commitment to democracy, equality, and the power of community. President Obama has inspired millions around the world with his leadership and vision for a fairer, more compassionate society. It is fitting that Dublin now welcomes him as a Freeman of our city.”
He continued, “As Lord Mayor, my focus is on Dublin and how we celebrate those whose values connect with our city. In honoring President Obama, I want to link his legacy to my agenda for a Living City, an Active City, and an Engaged City. His story reminds us that politics, when driven by hope, can change lives and open doors of opportunity—that is a message Dubliners can understand and share.”
During the ceremony, President Obama signed the Roll of Honor and received a First Edition of Ulysses (American Edition) by James Joyce, a bottle of Dublin Whiskey by Teelings, and a commemorative scroll with calligraphy by Aoife Lyons from the Lord Mayor.
President Obama remarked, “To Lord Mayor McAdam, Former Lord Mayor Carr, the Dublin City Council, and the citizens of Dublin: on behalf of Michelle and myself, I accept this honor with deep humility. These are, undoubtedly, times of great challenge and great change. But it is in moments like these that we are reminded of who we truly are.”
He added, “We are people, the Irish and Americans, who never stop imagining a brighter future for us all. That defiant, enduring hope has always been an unshakeable bond that connects our two countries, and so many others around the world. May we continue to strengthen those ties, and keep working to make our world a little more just, more equal, more prosperous, and more free.”
Since its inception in 1876, only 88 individuals have been granted the Freedom of the City. Past recipients include U.S. Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Clinton, global leaders Nelson Mandela and Mikhail Gorbachev, and sports legends Jack Charlton, Ronnie Delany, and Kellie Harrington.
Michelle Obama also received the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin in 2017 alongside her husband. Minister Paschal Donohoe represented the Government at today’s event.
Obama’s Irish heritage was highlighted during his 2011 Presidential Visit to Ireland, which included genealogical engagements and a visit to Moneygall, where he enjoyed a pint of Guinness in a local pub. Many Irish citizens fondly joked, referring to him as ‘O’Bama’.
