Former President Barack Obama invited to accept Freedom of Dublin duties

Former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have been invited to formally accept their Freedom of the City of Dublin when they visit the city in September, sparking discord among some Dublin councillors.

The Dublin City Council voted to bestow the honour on the Obamas in 2017 but they never had the chance to officially accept it, said Dublin Lord Mayor Ray McAdam.

McAdam wrote to the Obamas with an invitation to hold a full council meeting so that they may accept the award when they visit Dublin for An Evening with President Barack Obama in Conversation with Fintan O’Toole on September 26.

McAdam said yesterday that the Freedom of Dublin is "a rare distinction reserved for individuals whose leadership, service and values have made a profound and lasting contribution to the world."

If he accepts it, Obama will join the 88 previous recipients of the award, alongside the likes of Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela, U2 and Mother Teresa.

However, Councillor Conor Reddy of People Before Profit requested McAdam re-examine the invitation.

"Many of today's global crises trace back to policy decisions made under President Obama," wrote Reddy in a letter published on X, listing military aid sent to Israel, expansions of drone warfare and controversial fiscal policies following the 2008 financial crisis.

"If we value democracy, respect for human life and international law, we should not be honouring Barack Obama."

If McAdam's invitation is not reconsidered, Reddy said he will table an emergency motion at the first full council meeting in September to revoke the honour.

War criminals are not welcome in our City!

Here's the letter that I sent to @LordMayorDublin after hearing he would be inviting the Obamas to the Mansion House to receive the Freedom of the City conferred to them in 2017. pic.twitter.com/UnkrFuL0WX

— Cllr Conor Reddy 🇵🇸 (@ConorReddy95) July 28, 2025

Independent Councillor Mannix Flynn told The Journal yesterday that giving the Freedom of Dublin to Obama is "misuse of the award" and a "really, really stupid move."

"These gestures are so hollow, the whole award is meaningless and represents political favouritism," said Flynn, adding that the award has become so lacking in meaning that "you could pick it up in Penneys."

Former Lord Mayor Emma Blain spoke out in support of the Obamas accepting the award, saying that Irish people “have a great affection” for the couple.

Obama has not visited Ireland since his brief state visit in 2011, when he spoke on how America and Ireland "are bound by history and friendship and shared values" at Dublin’s College Green and travelled to his ancestor's home of Moneygall in Co. Offaly.

His 2011 visit received praise from the likes of Niall Horan, who called him "an absolute hero" after his Dublin speech.

barack obama is an absolute hero, what a speech in dublin today!! tv3 kept me clued in to it... is feidir linn

— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) May 23, 2011

The Irish Anti-War Movement organised protests during the visit in opposition to Obama's role in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

Jim Roche, chair of the Irish Anti-War Movement steering committee, reportedly said the group will protest again in September, according to BreakingNews.ie.

An Evening with President Barack Obama in Conversation with Fintan O’Toole will be held in the 3Arena on September 26.