Former president Barack Obama presented with the Freedom of the City of Dublin
The Lord Mayor of Dublin conferred the Freedom of the City of Dublin on President Barack Obama, in recognition of his historic achievements
Former President Barack Obama is being awarded the “highest civic honor in Dublin.”
Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Ray McAdam, has officially bestowed the Freedom of the City of Dublin upon President Barack Obama this afternoon. This honor is in recognition of his historic achievements, commitment to equality, and enduring contribution to public life.
The Freedom of the City is the highest civic honor in Dublin, reserved for individuals who have made a significant impact on the world and whose values align with those cherished by Dubliners. At the ceremony, Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Ray McAdam stated: “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 mother’s side contains Irish heritage. One of his ancestors fled Moneygall as a result of the Great Famine. The third great-grandfather in question is Falmouth Kearney, a shoemaker who emigrated to the US at the age of 19 in 1850. Kearney came through New York and wound up in Ohio, where he married and had children with an American woman.
“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 his vision for a fairer, more compassionate society. It is fitting that Dublin now welcomes him as a Freeman of our city.”
He further added: “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.”
President Obama signed the Roll of Honor during a brief ceremony this afternoon and received a gift of 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.
The former president said, “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.”
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by Yelena Mandenberg
15:24 ET, Sep 25 2025
Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam awarded former President Obama the honour in 2017 and today had the opportunity to formally accept it
Just 88 individuals have ever been granted the Freedom of the City since its inaugural presentation in 1876
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Former President Barack Obama is being awarded the “highest civic honor in Dublin.”
Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Ray McAdam, has officially bestowed the Freedom of the City of Dublin upon President Barack Obama this afternoon. This honor is in recognition of his historic achievements, commitment to equality, and enduring contribution to public life.
The Freedom of the City is the highest civic honor in Dublin, reserved for individuals who have made a significant impact on the world and whose values align with those cherished by Dubliners. At the ceremony, Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Ray McAdam stated: “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 mother’s side contains Irish heritage. One of his ancestors fled Moneygall as a result of the Great Famine. The third great-grandfather in question is Falmouth Kearney, a shoemaker who emigrated to the US at the age of 19 in 1850. Kearney came through New York and wound up in Ohio, where he married and had children with an American woman.
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Only 88 people have ever received The Freedom of the City since it was first awarded in 1876
Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Ray McAdam, has officially bestowed the Freedom of the City of Dublin upon President Barack Obama this afternoon
“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 his vision for a fairer, more compassionate society. It is fitting that Dublin now welcomes him as a Freeman of our city.”
He further added: “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.”
President Obama signed the Roll of Honor during a brief ceremony this afternoon and received a gift of 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.
The former president said, “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.”
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“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.”
Just 88 individuals have ever been granted the Freedom of the City since its inaugural presentation in 1876.
Past honorees 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 was also awarded the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin in 2017 alongside her husband. Minister Paschal Donohoe represented the Government at today’s ceremony.
Obama’s Irish roots were made more apparent in advance of his Presidential Visit to Ireland in 2011. Like President Biden’s more recent visit, Obama partook in some genealogical engagements during his time in Ireland.
This included a visit to Moneygall, where as promised, Obama enjoyed a pint of Guinness in a local pub. The Irish were happy to claim him as one of their own, with some jokingly referring to him as ‘O’Bama’.
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