Ronan O'Gara received the Freedom of Cork at a ceremony at City Hall on Thursday afternoon.
The Munster and Ireland rugby legend was presented the award at a special meeting of the city council. It is the highest civic honour which can be bestowed by a council.
O'Gara's name will be added to the List of Freemen of the city, which dates back as far as the 14th century.
The 40-year-old made 128 appearances for Ireland over a 16-year career. He was joined by his wife, Jess, and his five children during today's ceremony.
Ronan O'Gara Receives The Freedom of Cork. Image: ©INPHO/Gary Carr
Taoiseach Enda Kenny led the tributes for the 2009 Grand Slam winner.
"I would like to congratulate Ronan on being conferred with the Freedom of Cork and so becoming part of a very illustrious club," he is reported to have said in Cork's Evening Echo.
"His feats in the red jersey of Munster and the green of Ireland are remembered and treasured not just in Cork, but all over Ireland.
"I think the phrase 'perfect 10' may well have been coined for Ronan; a true legend of the game."
Standing ovation for @RonanOGara10. #freedomofcork pic.twitter.com/ZKqBRZt31m
— Kevin O'Neill (@_KevinONeill_) May 11, 2017
The ceremony was streamed live this afternoon on Cork City Council's website.
O'Gara, who is currently a coach with Racing '92, is the Heineken Cup's leading point scorer with 1,365 points.
Others who have made the list are former US Presidents John F Kennedy and Woodrow Wilson, as well as Irish sports stars like Roy Keane and Sonia O'Sullivan.
