Lord Mayor invites Barack and Michelle Obama to accept Freedom of Dublin
Dublin's Lord Mayor Ray McAdam has now invited the couple to accept this award during their upcoming visit to the capital in September.
In a letter to the Obamas, the lord mayor urged the couple to come to the Mansion House to formally accept the city's highest accolade.
'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.
'In February 2017, the Council resolved unanimously to confer this highest civic honour upon you both.'
Previous recipients of the Freedom of Dublin include Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela, John F. Kennedy and Mother Theresa.
Historically, the award granted certain privileges to the city's holder such as grazing sheep on Stephen's Green.
Despite a small number of councillors walking out in protest over the vote at the time, Lord Mayor McAdam praised the global impact of the Obamas.
'Barack and Michelle Obama have made an extraordinary contribution to public life, not just in the United States but globally,' he said
'President Obama led his country through a time of deep economic crisis and political division with a sense of hope, dignity, and calm leadership.
'His presidency inspired people around the world, including here in Ireland.'
Obama is visiting Dublin in September to take part in a sit-down interview with journalist Fintan O'Toole.
Mr McAdam believes the Obamas have done tremendous work for the democratic process and should be honoured for their contribution to public service.
'Mrs Obama, through her advocacy, voice, and example, has empowered millions – particularly young women and girls – to believe in their potential,' he said.
The vote to confer the award in 2017 was a controversial one, with councillors voting 30 to 23 in favour, with four abstentions.
People-Before-Profit councillors John Lyons, Andrew Keegan, Tina MacVeigh and Hazel de Nortuin left the council chamber when the appointment was made.
They claimed the awarding of the honour was an 'insult' to the people of Dublin as the former President 'presided over growing inequality at home, mass incarceration and deportations and ongoing wars in the Middle East'.
Lord Mayor McAdam believes the Freedom of the City is an important reward to 'connect those honoured with the reward with the to the civic heart of our capital'.
'By conferring the Freedom, we're not just recognising past achievements, we're welcoming the Obamas as part of Dublin's story,' he said.
Cllr McAdams affirmed that this award is of great importance to Dublin and would like to see the Obamas take up the duty.
'This ceremony is a chance to affirm the values we hold dear in Dublin: democracy, decency, inclusion, and respect.
'The Obamas reflect those values, and I believe this is an important and appropriate moment to formally celebrate them.'
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