From Nelson Mandela to Kellie Harrington, only a select few have been granted the Freedom of Dublin — and last week Barack Obama joined their ranks.
The former US President was formally conferred with the honour on Thursday (26th) by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Ray McAdam.
The Freedom of the City is Dublin’s highest civic award, given to individuals whose achievements and values resonate deeply with the people of the capital.
Since the accolade was first introduced in 1876, only 89 people have received it.
Obama now joins a roll of honour that includes John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, Nelson Mandela, Jack Charlton, Ronnie Delany and Kellie Harrington.
For many in Ireland, the moment carried a special significance.
Michelle Obama was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the City in 2017, and the couple’s affection for Ireland has been clear ever since their visit to Moneygall in 2011, where Barack Obama traced his roots back to Co Offaly.
Speaking at the Mansion House ceremony, Lord Mayor McAdam said it was his privilege to bestow the award.
“It is my great honour, on behalf of the citizens of Dublin, to confer the Freedom of the City upon President Barack Obama,” he said.
“This award recognises 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 his vision for a fairer, more compassionate society.
“It is fitting that Dublin now welcomes him as a Freeman of our city.”
The Lord Mayor added that Obama’s legacy tied closely to his own civic agenda.
“As Lord Mayor, my focus is on Dublin and how we celebrate those whose values connect with our city.
“In honouring 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, Obama signed the Roll of Honour and was presented with three symbolic gifts: a First Edition American copy of James Joyce’s Ulysses, a bottle of Dublin Whiskey by Teelings, and a commemorative scroll hand-lettered by calligrapher Aoife Lyons.
In his acceptance speech, Obama said he was deeply humbled to receive the honour and spoke about the enduring connections between Ireland and the United States.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“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.”
His words were warmly received inside the Mansion House, where the Government was represented by Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe. Former Taoiseach Brian Cowen was also among the attendees.
The Freedom of the City is more than a ceremonial accolade. It reflects the values Dubliners hold dear — democracy, equality, compassion and courage.
In recognising Obama, Dublin has aligned itself once again with a leader whose career was defined by those principles.
It also places him among one of the city’s most eclectic and admired groups of honourees.
From world leaders who shaped history, to sportspeople who brought glory to Ireland, to artists who carried Irish culture across the globe, the recipients embody excellence across fields.
For many, seeing the first Black President of the United States added to that tradition was a powerful statement about Dublin’s global outlook.
With both Barack and Michelle Obama now honoured by the city, their names will remain permanently linked with Dublin’s civic story.
For Lord Mayor McAdam, the moment was both a tribute to an international figure and a reminder to Dubliners to carry forward those same values in their own city.
“His story reminds us that politics, when driven by hope, can change lives,” he said. And as Obama’s name is etched into the roll of Dublin’s most celebrated