"Extraordinary honor" Barack Obama receives Freedom of Dublin on trip to Ireland

In a ceremony at the Shelbourne Hotel on Friday, Obama met with Fine Gael councillor and Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam. Originally, the event was to be held in the Mansion House, but it was changed at the last minute due to security reasons.

Obama signed a roll of honor while in attendance with some of the nation's biggest names in politics, like Minister for Finance Paschal O'Donohoe and former Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

 Barack Obama with the Lord Mayor of Dublin. Pic: RollingNews

Obama accepted gifts of a first edition of "Ulysses" (US edition) by James Joyce, a bottle of Dublin Whiskey, and a commemorative scroll.

Speaking at the event, the former US President 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."

Elsewhere, he joked that he's on the "Dublin tourism bureau" as he finds himself sharing his tips and tricks of the best places to visit in the city when people stop and ask him.

"I'm fairly certain I am on the Dublin tourism bureau, because wherever I go, people ask me, 'what are some great towns to visit?' And I will tell people, Dublin is one of the best," he said.

"It's not just because it's beautiful, and it is not just because you can have a good time, but it's because of the warmth of its people, and you, once again, confirm that truth.

"So I want to say thank you to all of you for this extraordinary honor. I am just sorry that I am late, apparently I should have been here eight years ago, but better late than never."

 An Obama supporter waiting outside the Shelbourne Hotel. Pic: RollingNews

Before and during the event, there were calls to boycott Obama's trip to Ireland over his support of Israel at the beginning of the conflict.

Independent groups, Sinn Féin, and People Before Profit were some of the political parties that weren't in attendance at the event, saying that the former President's actions while in office were condemnable and should not be rewarded.

 An anti-Trump protestor waiting outside the Shelbourne Hotel. Pic: RollingNews

Although the political welcome may have been frosty, Obama had many supporters out on Stephen's Green trying to catch a glimpse of him as he left the Shelbourne Hotel.

One woman was dressed as US President Donald Trump as a baby. Speaking to the Irish Independent, she said: "I just want to show my support for Obama. He’s a wonderful reminder of the better times in the American administration, when things weren’t so blooming crazy and chaotic."

Obama went off to host a one-night-only show at the 3Arena with journalist Fintan O'Toole, sharing messages of hope and resilience in these troubling times.

* This article was originally published on Evoke.ie.