Barack Obama Officially Accepts the Prestigious Freedom of Dublin Award After Eight-Year Delay.

Barack Obama Officially Accepts the Prestigious Freedom of Dublin Award After Eight-Year Delay.

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Former U.S. President Barack Obama has officially accepted the prestigious Freedom of Dublin, nearly eight years after he and his wife, Michelle Obama, were first awarded the honour by Dublin City Council in 2017.

The ceremony took place on September 26, 2025, at the Shelbourne Hotel, following a venue change from the Mansion House due to security concerns and political sensitivities.

The Freedom of Dublin is the city’s highest civic honour, previously bestowed upon global icons such as John F. Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, and Greta Thunberg.

It recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to leadership, democracy, and humanitarian values.

During the ceremony, Obama signed the Roll of Honour and received symbolic gifts, including a first edition of James Joyce’s Ulysses and a bottle of Teeling 30-Year-Old Irish Whiskey.

He accepted the award with “deep humility,” acknowledging the shared values between Ireland and the United States.

In addition to its symbolic prestige, the honour confers Honorary Citizenship of Dublin, placing the recipient among a select group held in the highest esteem by the city.

With this ceremony, Barack Obama officially joins a distinguished circle of global figures celebrated for their enduring impact on the world.

Yetunde B reports for Yeyetunde’s Blog.

 

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