Freedom of City award for Gavin

IT’S safe to say that there will be few quibbles about the latest person to be given the Freedom of Dublin. 

Last Saturday week, at the Mansion House, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paul McAuliffe conferred the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin on former Dublin senior football manager, Jim Gavin. 

Gavin is regarded as one of the best Irish Gaelic football managers in the modern game.  

Managing the Dublin Senior Men’s Football Team from 2013 to 2019, he is one of the county's most successful managers in terms of major titles won.

Gavin has also served his country for over 20 years as a military pilot for Óglaigh na hÉireann (the Irish Defence Forces), holding the senior rank of Commandant.

Lord Mayor McAuliffe said: “In conferring on Jim the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin, we recognise his achievements on the pitch, as a manager and his contribution to public life.

“He and his players have created many happy memories over the years, but I will never forget lighting that fifth blue lamp in honour of the unprecedented five in a row.”

Jim added: "I am deeply privileged to have been granted the Freedom of our City of Dublin by our Lord Mayor and Dublin City Council.

“It is a particular honour given that the conferring ceremony takes place in the historic Mansion House Round Room where our first Dáil was convened. It is very humbling.”