Sean Mulryan Awarded The Freedom Of Roscommon

The accolade was presented at a special ceremony on 2nd June 2026 at Áras an Chontae, attended by elected members and senior officials of Roscommon County Council, alongside Sean’s wife Bernardine, family, friends, and colleagues from Ballymore. The honour was proposed earlier this year by Cathaoirleach Cllr Liam Callaghan in recognition of Sean’s outstanding contribution to business and his role in bringing international recognition to County Roscommon.

Under Section 74 of the Local Government Act 2001, local authorities may confer such honours on individuals of exceptional distinction, with recipients formally recorded in a civic roll of honour.

Speaking at the ceremony, Cllr Liam Callaghan paid tribute to Sean as someone who represents “the very best of Roscommon — ambition matched with humility, success matched with generosity, and achievement grounded firmly in community.” He reflected on Sean’s early beginnings training as a bricklayer and stonemason in the county, and his journey to co-founding Ballymore in 1982 — a journey defined by determination, courage, and vision.

Today, Ballymore is one of Europe’s leading property developers, having delivered over 20,000 homes in the UK and 15,000 in Ireland, alongside more than five million square feet of office and retail space, and employing over 700 people. From major regeneration projects in London and Dublin to large-scale mixed-use developments across Europe, the company has built a reputation for transformative placemaking and long-term investment in communities.

Addressing those in attendance, Sean spoke of his deep personal connection to his home county:

In receiving the award, Sean becomes only the ninth recipient of this prestigious distinction, joining an esteemed group that includes former President of Ireland Mary McAleese and her husband Senator Martin McAleese, the late Roscommon football legend Dermot Earley, actor Chris O’Dowd, and musician Brendan Shine.