Former US President Barack Obama set to receive Freedom of Dublin this week

Former US President Barack Obama is reportedly set to receive the Freedom of Dublin honor during a private ceremony at Mansion House in Ireland's capital city on Thursday, September 25.

Obama - as well as his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama - were conferred the award by Dublin City Council in 2017, but the duo never formally accepted it.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam told RTÉ News on Tuesday: "The [Dublin] City Council, in its wisdom, awarded the Freedom to President Obama and Mrs. Obama a number of years ago, and this week we will ensure that that award is now received and we will do it in a respectful way and in a way that honors the historic nature of the Freedom of the City of Dublin."

According to the Irish Examiner, sources on Dublin City Council said the presentation will likely be a private event, attended by the Lord Mayor McAdam, other group leaders, and senior council staff.

The private ceremony is expected to take place on Thursday, the day before the former US President will be in conversation with Fintan O'Toole at Dublin's 3Arena.

Michelle Obama is not expected to be in Ireland this week for the events.

RTÉ News reports that Lord Mayor McAdam wrote to the Obamas, urging them to come to the Mansion House in Dublin to accept the honor, saying it is "a rare distinction reserved for individuals whose leadership, service and values have made a profound and lasting contribution to the world."

"As you return to Dublin, I know that many here continue to hold fond memories of your visit in the spring of 2011," he wrote.

"There was a palpable sense of excitement and pride in the city, especially on that unforgettable evening when you addressed the crowds at College Green. It remains one of the defining moments of modern Dublin's story - a moment of shared hope, friendship and global connection.

"The people of Dublin have long admired your leadership, your commitment to public service and your shared belief in the power of community, equality and democracy.

"It would be a great honour to formally welcome you both as Freeman and Freewoman of our city."

May 23, 2011: First Lady Michelle Obama and US President Barack Obama in Dublin's College Green to address an open air public rally. (RollingNews.ie)

Dublin City Council's vote to award the Obamas the Freedom of Dublin in February 2017 was contentious, only passing by a slim margin of 30 - 23, with four abstentions.

Those against the decision said they believed awarding such an honor to a US President who “presided over growing inequality at home, mass incarceration and deportations, and ongoing wars in the Middle East" was an insult to the people of Dublin City.

However, then Lord Mayor Brendan Carr said at the time: "While I’m aware some Councillors may have reservations over failings of US foreign policy during the Presidency of Barack Obama, I believe he and Michelle, through their promotion of the rights of refugees, humanitarian causes campaigning on behalf of women’s rights and focus on improving international relations with several States did point American society in a progressive direction."

May 23, 2011: US President Barack Obama addresses crowds at Dublin's College Green. (RollingNews.ie)

What is the Freedom of the City of Dublin?

According to Dublin City Council, the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin is the highest and most prestigious award Dublin City can bestow.

While no financial benefits are attached to the award, holders of the Honorary Freedom of Dublin have some ancient privileges and duties not applicable to ordinary citizens, some of which have little more than symbolic meaning in the modern world.

Ancient privileges include the right to bring goods into Dublin through the city gates, without paying customs duties; the right to pasture sheep on common ground within the city boundaries, including modern-day College Green (formerly Hoggen Green) and St. Stephen’s Green; and the right to vote in municipal and parliamentary elections.

Ancient duties include being ready to defend Dublin City from attack; a Freeman or Freewoman can be called on to join a city militia at short notice.

While only 90 people have been conferred with the Freedom of City of Dublin, only 88 people remain on the Roll of Honor after Aung San Suu Kyi and Bob Geldof were removed in December 2017.

The most recent recipients of the Freedom of the City of Dublin are Duncan Stewart and Greta Thunberg, who received the honors in 2023. 

Obama will be the fourth US President to receive the honor, following in the footsteps of Presidents Ulysses S. Grant in 1878, John F Kennedy in 1963, and Bill Clinton in 1995.