Former U.S. President Barack Obama is set to arrive in Ireland on Thursday, 25 September, ahead of a series of engagements in Dublin, including the formal acceptance of the Freedom of the City—an honour originally conferred upon him and his wife, Michelle Obama, in 2017.
The ceremony will take place at a private event hosted by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste, and attended by senior city officials and invited dignitaries. The Freedom of the City is Dublin’s highest civic distinction, awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to public life.
Obama’s visit culminates in a sold-out public event on Friday evening, titled An Evening With President Barack Obama: In Conversation with Fintan O’Toole, at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. The discussion is expected to cover global leadership, democracy, and civic engagement, with O’Toole—one of Ireland’s leading public intellectuals—moderating.
Security preparations are underway across the capital, with Gardaí coordinating logistics for both the private and public events. Obama’s visit marks his first return to Ireland since 2011, when he addressed crowds in College Green during his presidency.
Barack Obama Photograph by Christopher Dilts
