Patti Smith was joined by a packed house that included Bono and Glen Hansard, as she accepted the Edmund Burke Medal for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts. Broadcaster Jeremy Paxman was also rewarded on Friday fro his contributions to journalism.

The Edmund Burke Gold Medal, named after the man who founded Trinity's Historical Society in 1747, is awarded by the Trinity College Historical Society to those in the world who carry values inherent within the society. Those values encompass free speech, intellectualism, curiosity, and the pursuit of truth.

Her lyrics for 'People Have the Power' attest to her activism:

"And the people have the power
To redeem the work of fools
From the meek the graces shower
It's decreed the people rule"

Smith told the audience that the evening marked a “bittersweet date” in her life, coinciding with the birthday of her ex-lover Robert Mapplethorpe, who died in 1989, as well as the anniversary of the death of her husband Fred Smith, and the third birthday of their grandson. But she is reminded that through her husband, she learned much about the world and politics, and also how to lead an enriched life despite loss.

Past recipients include President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, who was presented with the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse in 2013.

You can listen to Patti Smith speak at Trinity College in the video below: