Barack Obama to receive Freedom of the City of Dublin in private ceremony
Former US president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama enjoy a glass of Guinness in his ancestral home of Moneygall, on May 23, 2001 in Moneygall, Ireland. Picture: Irish Government - Pool /Getty Images
Former US president Barack Obama will receive the Freedom of the City of Dublin on Thursday.
Sources on Dublin City Council said it will likely be a private event, attended by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam, other group leaders, and senior council staff.
There will be no public element to the event.
The former president and his wife, Michelle Obama, were awarded the Freedom of the City in 2017 after councillors voted 30 in favour and 23 against.
However, the couple never formally accepted the honour.
Mr Obama is in Dublin ahead of a sold-out event at the 3Arena this Friday: .
Sinn Féin group leader Daithí Doolin confirmed the party will not attend Thursday’s ceremony, noting that its councillors overwhelmingly opposed the 2017 proposal.
