Environmentalists Greta Thunberg and Duncan Stewart received the Freedom of Dublin award last night, reports RTE.
This is the first time environmental activists have been granted freedom in the capital.
The couple were nominated for the award by Dublin’s current mayor, Green Party councillor Caroline Conroy, and were supported by group leaders from Dublin City Council.
They will be awarded the Freedom of Dublin in a ceremony at the Mansion House this evening.
Mayor Conroy said the couple were nominated because of their attention to environmental issues.
She said: “I couldn’t think of any other Irish person who had done more over such a long period of time to spread the word about environmental issues than Duncan. Greta has been a significant presence on the international stage, particularly in rallying young people to the climate challenge. I am a huge admirer of both Duncan and Greta,” reports RTE.
Ms Conroy said: “They are absolutely passionate about raising awareness of this huge issue. Our city has never before used this award to celebrate the role of environmental activists. We must recognise the incredible work done across generations to protect our shared city and planet,” reports RTE.
Reacting to his award, Mr. Stewart said that while he felt the nomination was very generous, he felt he did not deserve the honor.
He said: “I don’t deserve it. There have been other people who have been working at this for a long time such as those working in NGOs, scientists etc,” reports RTE.
However, he said he would use the award as an opportunity to spread the word about the climate crisis.
Mr Stewart said: “We need to urgently transform as a society so that we don’t steal our children’s future,” reports RTE.
Mr Stewart said these measures were agreed at COP15 in Montreal and are critical to protecting the planet’s future.
Past recipients of the award have included US Presidents John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, artists U2 and Maureen Potter, poet Thomas Kinsella, TV presenter Gay Byron and former Dublin soccer managers Kevin Heffernan and Jim Gavin.
Boxer Kelly Harrington, scientist and activist Ailvey Smith and cyber psychologist Professor Mary Aiken are the latest to receive the 2022 Freedom of the City award in Dublin.
The ancient duties of a freeman or freeman included preparing to defend the city from attack and joining the city’s militia at short notice.
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