The nomination of the incredible Irish actress was proposed by Dublin Lord Mayor Ray McAdam and was backed by the council’s protocol committee
DUBLIN, IRELAND – JUNE 01: Brenda Fricker attends the 50th Anniversary Of ‘The Late Late Show’ on June 1, 2012 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Phillip Massey/FilmMagic)
Irish actress Brenda Fricker is to be given the Freedom of Dublin City.
The Oscar-winning actress will join the likes of Gay Byrne, Nelson Mandela, John F Kennedy, George Bernard Shaw, Greta Thunberg, and Brian O’Driscoll with the honour. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1990 for her performance as the mother of Christy Brown in My Left Foot, opposite Daniel Day-Lewis.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, proposed the conferral of the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin on Brenda Fricker and welcomed the City Council’s endorsement of that nomination.
Her name is to be inscribed on the Roll of Honorary Freedom of Dublin pursuant to Section 74 of the Local Government Act 2001. Speaking following this evening’s decision, the Lord Mayor said that the actress is a source of pride for Dublin.
“Brenda Fricker is one of Dublin’s most distinguished cultural figures and it is a source of immense pride that our city is recognising her in this way. My mayoral theme is ‘Celebrating Dublin’, and tonight we do exactly that by honouring a great Dublin woman whose talent, integrity and craft have represented our capital city with distinction across a lifetime of extraordinary work.”
“Brenda’s Academy Award winning performance in ‘My Left Foot’ was a landmark moment for Irish acting and Irish cinema. But what makes her career so special is the body of work that followed, marked by honesty, depth and a rare ability to bring warmth and toughness in the same breath. Her performances have helped tell Irish stories and have become part of family life across generations.”
“This honour is not simply about international acclaim. It is about contribution and the pride Brenda has brought to Dublin and to Ireland.”
“Her work also has a personal resonance in our own family. My son Iarlaith loves ‘Home Alone 2’ and knows Brenda as the Pigeon Lady, a role that continues to be discovered by a whole new generation. My wife Niamh has often spoken about how films like ‘A Time to Kill’ helped inspire her own path into law and public service. That is the quiet reach of great work. It travels, it endures, and it can help shape lives.
We look forward to welcoming Brenda Fricker for the formal conferral in due course.”
Brenda Fricker and Daniel Day-Lewis during the 62nd Annual Academy Awards at Music Center in Los Angeles, California, United States(Image: Photo by Barry King/WireImage via Getty Images)
Labour group leader on Dublin City Council and City Councillor for the South West Inner City Darragh Moriarty celebrated the honour for the actress.
“It’s fantastic to see the Liberties own Brenda Fricker be celebrated with the Freedom of the City and on behalf of the Labour Party I want to extend my huge congratulations to Brenda and her family. From growing up and representing the Dublin 8 community, I know how proud and honoured we are to see her receive this well overdue recognition.
“Brenda is one of Dublin’s greatest and most recognisable cultural ambassadors and awarding her the Freedom of Dublin is both a celebration of her career and a recognition of the impact Irish artists can have globally.
“Fricker’s work has not only entertained us and moved us, but it has put Ireland on the map and shaped our creative reputation globally, opening doors for generations of Irish artists and performers who have followed.
“As Chairperson of the DCC’s Community, Gaeilge, Sport, Arts and Culture Strategic Policy Committee, I am particularly moved to see someone from the arts being recognised. Brenda is an icon of the arts and for artists, and recognising her is so important to keep focus on how we can best support creative voices at home.”
Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
