Former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have been invited to accept their Freedom of the City of Dublin when they visit the capital in September.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam said the couple were conferred with the city’s highest civic honour in February 2017 by Dublin City Council, but have not had the opportunity to formally accept it.
The Freedom of Dublin would give them a numb
er of entitlements, including being able to graze sheep on St Stephen’s Green.
In a letter to the Obamas, Cllr McAdam urged them to come to the Mansion House to accept the honour, 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.
“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.”
Only 88 people have been conferred with the Freedom of Dublin, with the most recent recipients being environmentalists Duncan Stewart and Greta Thunberg in June 2023.
Others include Nelson Mandela, John F Kennedy, Mikhail Gorbachev, George Bernard Shaw, U2, Brian O’Driscoll and Dr Tony Holohan.
In 2017, Bob Geldolf returned his award in protest at the inclusion of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi on the roll of honour. Her name was also removed in 2017.
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.
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.
The right to vote in municipal and parliamentary elections.
Ancient Duties include:
Each Freeman or Freewoman must be ready to defend the city from attack.
A Freeman or Freewoman can be called on to join a city militia at short notice.
According to a law passed in 1454, any merchant who becomes a Freeman or Freewoman must possess the following items:
A coat of mail
A bow
A light helmet
A sword of their own
Freemen from the other trade guilds must have a bow, arrows and a sword.
A law passed in 1465 states that each Freeman or Freewoman has to provide themselves with a longbow (of their length) made of yew, witch-hazel or ash.
They must also have 12 arrows made of the same wood.
Mr Obama is due to visit Dublin in September for an event in the 3Arena where he will be in conversation with journalist Fintan O’Toole.
