The Mayor of Limerick is the head of the local government of the City and County of Limerick. It is a directly elected office with a five-year term. Following the 2024 Limerick mayoral election, John Moran was inaugurated as the first office-holder on 21 June 2024.

Mayor of Limerick
Irish: Méara Luimnigh
Incumbent
John Moran
since 21 June 2024
StyleMayor
TypeCouncil leader
StatusChief executive officer
SeatCity Hall, Limerick
AppointerElectorate of Limerick
Term length5 years, renewable once
Inaugural holderJohn Spafford[1]
Formation1195
Salary€151,856[2]
WebsiteOfficial website

Prior to June 2024, it was the title used by the chairperson of Limerick City and County Council.[3] Prior to the amalgamation of the city and county councils in 2014, the mayor was the chairperson of Limerick City Council.[4] The office was originally established in 1195 and reinforced by a charter issued in 1197.[1]

Election to the office prior to June 2024

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Before the introduction of the executive mayor system, the ceremonial mayor was elected to office annually by councillors of Limerick City and County Council from amongst its members.[5] The practice was for the term of office to begin in June[3] with the former Mayor presenting the Chain of Office to the incoming Mayor, thus formally inaugurating a new term. The process was repeated the following June, unless the same person was given a second consecutive term. Under the previous system, the mayor was the chairperson of the City and County Council.

Directly elected mayor

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In May 2019 a plebiscite was held with the 2019 Limerick City and County Council election in which voters approved the establishment of a directly elected mayor for Limerick City and County by a vote of 52.4%.[6][7] In August 2023, the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023 was published.[8] Kieran O'Donnell, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, stated that it was the intention of the government that the election for a directly elected Mayor for Limerick would be held in 2024, at the local elections which was held on 7 June 2024.[9] The Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 was enacted in March 2024.

The first election to the new office took place on 7 June 2024 in conjunction with the 2024 Limerick City and County Council election. John Moran was elected mayor and was inaugurated at a ceremony at Limerick's oldest building, St Mary's Cathedral, on 21 June 2024.[10][11]

Following the inauguration of the first directly-elected mayor, the chief executive of the council was renamed as the director general and the chair of the council became known as the Príomh Chomhairleoir (lit.'Head Councillor')).[12][13][14]

History of the office

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The office has existed, in one form or another, since it was inaugurated in 1195. The title of Provost was used up to the 14th century.[1]

Selected list of mayors

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Throne of Limerick mayors

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Mayoralty of Limerick" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Directly elected mayor of Limerick to be paid almost €152,000 per year". The Irish Times. 4 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Mayor of the City and County of Limerick". Limerick.ie. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Limerick City Council". Limerick City Council. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  5. ^ (eISB), electronic Irish Statute Book. "electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB)". Archived from the original on 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  6. ^ McAllister, Edel (27 May 2019). "Limerick voters will have chance to elect mayor by 2022". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Result of the Direct Election of Mayor Plebiscite for Limerick City and County". Limerick City and County Council. 27 May 2019. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023". Oireachtas. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Minister O'Donnell Welcomes Publication of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill" (Press release). Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 3 August 2023.
  10. ^ Martyn, Petula (21 June 2024). "Limerick sees strength in its diversity, says new mayor". RTÉ.ie.
  11. ^ "First Ever Inauguration of a Directly Elected Mayor of Limerick". Limerick.ie. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Annual Meeting of Limerick City and County Council". Limerick.ie. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Directly elected mayor leads to a big shake-up in council administration". Limerick Leader. 7 June 2024.
  14. ^ "A New Energy: Mayor of Limerick, John Moran Vested with Chains of Office at Historic Ceremony". Limerick City and County Council. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  15. ^ "Michael Keyes". Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.