OLYMPIAN KELLIE HARRINGTON, campaigner Ailbhe Smyth and cyberpsychology expert Professor Mary Aiken are receiving the Freedom of Dublin this evening.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland is conferring the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin on the three women for their work in their respective fields.
Kellie Harringon, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, is receiving the honour for her “unstinting work in the community, her caring exemplar and role modelling for young people and for her sporting achievements”.
Ailbhe Smyth is being recognised “for her work in the areas of human rights, social justice and academia” and Professor Mary Aiken “for her work in the areas of cyberpsychology, online safety and security”.
In a joint statement, the three women thanked Dublin City Council for the award.
Harrington said it was “such an honour to receive the freedom of the city” and that it gave her and her family “a huge sense of pride”.
“There is not too many women on this role of honour and I am delighted to be one of three incredible women who will receive this award,” she said.
Smyth said she was “deeply honoured and absolutely delighted to receive the Freedom of the City I love and have lived in all my life”.
“As an activist, it’s wonderful to see our collective struggles for equality, justice and human rights being recognised and valued and so encouraging for younger generations of campaigners.”
And Professor Aiken said it was “an honour to be considered in the same roll call as JFK, Nelson Mandela and Mother Theresa, I am equally honoured to be in the company of strong, pioneering female representatives of Irelands recent past, present and future”.
“However, I don’t view this as an award for personal endeavour – I am delighted that it highlights the science and work focused on creating a safer and more secure cyberspace.”
The ceremony is being held in the Round Room at the Mansion House on Dawston Street at 8pm.
Dublin City Council can award the freedom of the city through a majority vote on nominations brought forward by the Lord Mayor.
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83 people have previously received the award, the most recent of whom was Dr Tony Holohan for his role as Chief Medical Officer during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Other past recipients include Father Peter McVerry, the four members of U2, and Eamon de Valera.
The privileges, which are mostly symbolic, include being exempt from tax on goods brought through the city gates and permission to graze sheep on College Green and St Stephen’s Green.
There were calls for boxer Harrington to receive the freedom of the city as she returned victorious from the Olympics last year.
North Inner City councillor and family friend Councillor Nial Ring said he had contacted the Lord Mayor to formally propose Harrington be granted the freedom of the city.
