IRELAND’S ambassador to Britain Dan Mulhall has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London as he prepares to take up his new role in the Washington.
In March, it was announced that Mr Mulhall would become the new Irish ambassador to the United States, replacing Anne Anderson who is retiring.
The Waterford native will be replaced by Adrian O’Neill who is currently second secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Mulhall, 62, was educated at University College Cork and first entered the Department of Foreign Affairs as a Third Secretary in 1978.
He took up his London post in September 2013, having previously served as the Irish ambassador to Germany in Berlin.
Mr Mulhall is a well-liked figure in the Department and is notable for his keen interest in Irish poetry.
Thank you very much to @cityoflondon for granting me the Freedom of the City today. Recognition of unique links between Ireland & London. pic.twitter.com/f2R5OuhERt
— Daniel Mulhall (@DanMulhall) July 17, 2017
He has been praised for his work with the Irish community in Britain as well as his innovative use of social media to promote the Department and its mission.
Honoured at the Chamberlain’s Court at Guildhall, in one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still in existence in the City, Mr Mulhall’s appointment as a Freeman of the City provides him with the opportunity to serve the City of London Corporation and the wider community.
The honour also allows him the power to drive sheep across London Bridge in a much-celebrated tradition dating back centuries.
“Thank you very much to @cityoflondon for granting me the Freedom of the City today,” Mr Mulhall tweeted after the ceremony.
“[The honour] is recognition of the unique links between Ireland and London.”
And was also given this by @cityoflondon @ today's Freeman ceremony, Rules for the Conduct of Life. Will need to behave myself from now on! pic.twitter.com/hhYMb07Hle
— Daniel Mulhall (@DanMulhall) July 17, 2017
