On the 12th of June 2026, President Catherine Connolly will receive the Freedom of Galway City in a ceremony to be held at the Hardiman Hotel.
The Honorary Freedom of the City of Galway is the highest civic award bestowed by the City of Galway.Recipients of the award are referred to as “Freeman” or “Freewoman” of the City of Galway, and as such become an Honorary Citizen of the city.
The bestowing of the Freedom is ratified by the elected members of Galway City Council. In 1840, the City of Galway lost its Corporation status after the passing of the Municipal Corporation Act and was replaced by a Town Council.
In 1938, Galway again received city status and the Corporation was re-established. With this, came the right to elect a mayor of the city and thus to award Freedom of the City.
The first recipient of the honour was President Douglas Hyde in 1939.
The Council has conferred this award to only 33 people.