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Mayor of Limerick | |
---|---|
Irish: Méara Luimnigh | |
since 21 June 2024 | |
Style | Mayor |
Type | Council leader |
Status | Chief executive officer |
Seat | City Hall, Limerick |
Appointer | Electorate of Limerick |
Term length | 5 years, renewable once |
Inaugural holder | John Spafford[1] |
Formation | 1195 |
Salary | €151,856[2] |
Website | Official website |
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.
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]
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.
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]
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]