HE MIGHT NEVER exercise his new right to graze sheep on College Green, but Barack Obama is now officially a Freeman of Dublin.

The former US president was conferred with the Freedom of the city yesterday at a ceremony held by Dublin City Council and Mayor Ray McAdam in the Shelbourne Hotel.

The event wasn’t without controversy – several councillors boycotted in protest at Obama’s record on drone strikes, deportations and US support for Israel.

But Dublin City Council still marked the occasion with some carefully chosen gifts: a first edition of James Joyce’s Ulysses (American Edition), a bottle of Dublin Whiskey from Teeling, and a hand-finished commemorative scroll.

Former US President @BarackObama received the Freedom of Dublin today from @LordMayorDublin Cllr Ray McAdam. The President was also presented with a first edition of the book Ulysses. pic.twitter.com/9vtNd7rank

— Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) September 25, 2025

The James Joyce novel was priced at €1,750, while the scroll cost €1,995, according to Dublin City Council – together, the presents came in just under €3,800 (the whiskey was free).

While the Freedom of Dublin no longer carries any financial benefits, some quirky historic entitlements remain on the books.

Obama now technically has the right to bring goods through the city gates duty-free, graze livestock in its parks, and, if the call ever comes, he has to be ready to help defend Dublin.

According to a law passed in 1454, any merchant who becomes a Freeman or Freewoman must possess a coat of mail, a bow, a light helmet, and a sword of their own.

It’s not clear if the former US president is currently in possession of these items, though it may be a question for Irish Times columnist Fintan O’Toole to put to him during their sold-out interview in the 3Arena tonight.

With reporting from Jane Matthews