List of mayors of Belfast

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Lord Mayor of Belfast
Coat of Arms of Belfast.png
Incumbent
Micky Murray
since 3 June 2024
Style The Right Honourable [1]
Appointer Belfast City Council
Term length One year
Inaugural holder Sir Daniel Dixon (Lord Mayor)
George Dunbar (Mayor)
John Vesey (Sovereign)
Formation1892 (as Lord Mayor of Belfast)
1842 (as Mayor of Belfast)
1613 (as Sovereign of Belfast)
DeputyAndrew McCormick
Website Lord Mayor

The Lord Mayor of Belfast is the leader and chairperson of Belfast City Council, elected annually from and by the city's 60 councillors. The Lord Mayor also serves as the representative of the city of Belfast, welcoming guests from across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Contents

The current Lord Mayor is Micky Murray of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland who has been in the position of Lord Mayor since 3 June 2024. The Deputy Lord Mayor is Andrew McCormick of the Democratic Unionist Party.

History

The Lord Mayor's Parlour is traditionally situated in Belfast City Hall Belfast City Hall 2.jpg
The Lord Mayor's Parlour is traditionally situated in Belfast City Hall

The position that is now the Lord Mayor originated in 1613 in the town's Royal Charter as the Sovereign of Belfast. In 1842, this position was restyled the Mayor of Belfast. In 1892, four years after Belfast was granted city status, the position was given Lord Mayor status, making it one of only three cities on the island of Ireland having a Lord Mayor, the other two being Cork and Dublin. In 1929, it became one of only six cities in the United Kingdom to have a Lord Mayor styled "the Right Honourable". Until 1973 the position was held for three years, when it was reduced to its current term of one year. From 1921 until 1972, the Lord Mayor was automatically entitled to a seat in the Senate of Northern Ireland.

For most of the city's modern history, the position has been held by Unionists, with members of the Ulster Unionist Party holding the post for a total of 61 of the 67 years between 1921 and 1997. The first non-Unionist Lord Mayor since the partition of Ireland in 1921 was David Cook from the Alliance Party who was elected in 1978. The first nationalist Lord Mayor was not appointed until the election of Alban Maginness from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in 1997, while a Sinn Féin Lord Mayor was first elected in 2002. The loss of the Unionist majority on the Council in 1997 has resulted in a greater rotation of the position amongst the parties, which, like other elected positions within the Council such as Committee chairs, is now filled using the D'Hondt system.

Powers and duties

The Lord's Mayor's role comprises these powers and duties: [2]

Deputy Lord Mayor

The position of Deputy Lord Mayor has a representative role within the city along with the Lord Mayor. When the Lord Mayor is unavailable for whatever reason, it is the responsibility of the Deputy Lord Mayor to carry out the representative functions of the Lord Mayor.

While the Deputy Lord Mayor is in office, they combine their mayoral responsibilities with their responsibilities as a councillor, such as serving on Council Committees.

Monuments

Sovereigns of Belfast (1613–1842)

The following is a list of sovereigns of Belfast from the creation of the position in 1613 until it was replaced by the position of Mayor in 1842. [3]

17th century

  • 1613: John Vesey
  • 1614: John Willowbye
  • 1615: James Burr
  • 1616: James Burr
  • 1617: Carew Hart
  • 1618: Carew Hart
  • 1619: George Theaker
  • 1620: George Theaker
  • 1621: No Name
  • 1622: Edward Holmes
  • 1623: Edward Holmes
  • 1624: No Name
  • 1625: No Name
  • 1626: Edward Holmes
  • 1627: Carew Hart
  • 1628: Edward Holmes
  • 1629: No Name
  • 1630: Walter House Crymble
  • 1631: Lewys Thompson
  • 1632: Robert Foster
  • 1633: Thomas Brampton or Brumston
  • 1634: Lewys Thompson
  • 1635: Henry Le Squire
  • 1636: Henry Le Squire
  • 1637: John Wasber
  • 1638: John Leathes, Senior
  • 1639: Henry Le Squire
  • 1640: John Haddock
  • 1641: Thomas Hamington
  • 1642: Thomas Stephenson
  • 1643: Thomas Theaker
  • 1644: Robert Foster
  • 1645: William Leathes
  • 1646: John Asshe or Ayshe
  • 1647: Hugh Doake
  • 1648: Robert Foster
  • 1649: George Giles Martin [4]
  • 1650: Thomas Harrington
  • 1651: Thomas Harrington
  • 1652: Thomas Waring
  • 1653: Thomas Waring
  • 1654: Thomas Theaker
  • 1655: John Leathes Junior
  • 1656: Thomas Waring
  • 1657: William Leathes
  • 1658: William Leathes
  • 1659: William Leathes and Francis Meek
  • 1660: Captain Francis Meek
  • 1661: John Rigby
  • 1662: George Macartney
  • 1663: George Macartney
  • 1664: Thomas Waring
  • 1665: Thomas Waring
  • 1666: Edward Raynell
  • 1667: Captain George Macartney
  • 1668: Captain George Macartney
  • 1669: William Warring
  • 1670: William Warring
  • 1671: Thomas Walcott
  • 1672: George Macartney
  • 1673: George Macartney
  • 1674: Hugh Eccles
  • 1675: George Macartney
  • 1676: George Macartney
  • 1677: George Macartney
  • 1678: George Macartney
  • 1679: George Macartney
  • 1680: George Macartney
  • 1681: Francis Tholford
  • 1682: Lewis Thompson
  • 1683: John Hamilton
  • 1684: John Hamilton
  • 1685: Thomas Knox
  • 1686: Captain Robert Leathes
  • 1687: Captain Robert Leathes
  • 1688: Captain Robert Leathes
  • 1689: Captain Robert Leathes
  • 1690: Captain Robert Leathes
  • 1691: William Lockhart
  • 1692: James Macartney
  • 1693: William Craford
  • 1694: William Craford
  • 1695: Captain Edward Harrison
  • 1696: Lewis Thompson
  • 1697: Arthur Chichester, 3rd Earl of Donegall
  • 1698: David Smith
  • 1699: David Smith

18th century

  • 1700: George Macartney
  • 1701: John Chalmers
  • 1702: David Butle
  • 1703: David Butle
  • 1704: David Butle and George Macartney
  • 1705: George Macartney
  • 1706: George Macartney
  • 1707: George Macartney
  • 1708: George Macartney
  • 1709: Richard Wilson
  • 1710: Roger Haddock
  • 1711: Roger Haddock
  • 1712: Hans Hamilton
  • 1713: Robert Leathes
  • 1714: James Gurner
  • 1715: James Gurner
  • 1716: Henry Ellis
  • 1717: John Carpenter
  • 1718: John Carpenter
  • 1719: Henry Ellis
  • 1720: Robert Le Byrtt
  • 1721: Robert Le Byrtt
  • 1722: Henry Ellis
  • 1723: George Macartney
  • 1724: Major George Macartney and Nathaniel Byrtt
  • 1725: Nathaniel Byrtt
  • 1726: Dr. James Macartney
  • 1727: John Clugstone
  • 1728: John Clugstone
  • 1729: Thomas Banks
  • 1730: John Duff
  • 1731: Arthur Byrtt
  • 1732: John Clugstone
  • 1733: John Clugstone
  • 1734: Robert Le Byrtt
  • 1735: Robert Le Byrtt
  • 1736: Margetson Saunders
  • 1737: Margetson Saunders
  • 1738: Margetson Saunders
  • 1739: Robert Le Byrtt
  • 1740: Robert Le Byrtt
  • 1741: John Duff
  • 1742: John Duff
  • 1743: Robert Le Byrtt
  • 1744: Arthur Byrtt
  • 1745: Arthur Byrtt
  • 1746: Arthur Byrtt
  • 1747: John Duff
  • 1748: Margetson Saunders
  • 1749: George Macartney
  • 1750: George Macartney
  • 1751: George Macartney
  • 1752: Arthur Byrtt
  • 1753: John Duff
  • 1754: Margetson Saunders
  • 1755: Stewart Banks
  • 1756: Stewart Banks
  • 1757: Arthur Byrtt
  • 1758: Stewart Banks
  • 1759: George Macartney
  • 1760: Stephen Havon
  • 1761: James Hamilton
  • 1762: Stewart Banks
  • 1763: George Macartney
  • 1764: George Macartney
  • 1765: George Macartney
  • 1766: Stewart Banks
  • 1767: George Macartney
  • 1768: George Macartney
  • 1769: James Hamilton
  • 1770: Stephen Havon
  • 1771: Stewart Banks
  • 1772: Sham Thompson
  • 1773: James Lewis
  • 1774: James Lewis
  • 1775: George Black
  • 1776: George Black
  • 1777: James Lewis
  • 1778: Stewart Banks
  • 1779: Samuel Black
  • 1780: Samuel Black
  • 1781: Samuel Black
  • 1782: George Black
  • 1783: George Black
  • 1784: Samuel Black
  • 1785: George Black
  • 1786: Rev. William Bristow
  • 1787: Rev. William Bristow
  • 1788: Rev. William Bristow
  • 1789: Samuel Black
  • 1790: Rev. William Bristow
  • 1791: Rev. William Bristow
  • 1792: Rev. William Bristow
  • 1793: Rev. William Bristow
  • 1794: Rev. William Bristow
  • 1795: Rev. William Bristow
  • 1796: Rev. William Bristow
  • 1797: John Brown
  • 1798: Rev. William Bristow
  • 1799: John Brown

19th century

  • 1800–1801: John Brown
  • 1802: Arthur Chichester
  • 1803–1806: James Edward May (MP for Belfast, 1801–1814)
  • 1807–1808: Rev. Edward May
  • 1809–1810: James Edward May (MP for Belfast, 1801–1814)
  • 1811: Rev. Edward May
  • 1812–1815: Thomas Verner
  • 1816: Rev. Edward May
  • 1817–1818: Thomas Ludford Stewart
  • 1819–1822: Thomas Verner
  • 1823: John Agnew and Andrew Alexander
  • 1824: Andrew Alexander and John Agnew
  • 1825–1826: John Agnew
  • 1827: Rev. Lord Edward Chichester
  • 1828–1833: Sir Stephen Edward May (MP for Belfast, 1814–1816)
  • 1834–1840: John Agnew
  • 1841–1842: Thomas Verner, Jun (Last Sovereign of the Old Corporation)

Mayors of Belfast (1842–1892)

The following is a list of mayors of Belfast from the creation of the position in 1842 until it was replaced by the position of Lord Mayor in 1892. [5]

Source: Belfast City Council

Lord Mayors of Belfast (1892–present)

The following is a list of lord mayors of Belfast since the creation of the position in 1892. [6]

19th century

No.FromToNameParty
118921893 Daniel Dixon Irish Unionist
218941896 William McCammond Irish Unionist
318961898 William James Pirrie Liberal
418981899 James Henderson Irish Unionist
518991900 Otto Jaffe Irish Unionist

20th century

No.FromToNameParty
619001901 Sir Robert J. McConnell Irish Unionist
719011904 Sir Daniel Dixon Irish Unionist
819041905 Sir Otto Jaffe Irish Unionist
919051907 Sir Daniel Dixon Irish Unionist
1019071908 The 9th Earl of Shaftesbury Irish Unionist
1119081910 Sir Robert Anderson Irish Unionist
1219101914 Robert James McMordie Irish Unionist
1319141917 Sir Crawford McCullagh Irish Unionist
1419171919 James Johnston Irish Unionist
1519191920John Campbell White Irish Unionist
1619201923 William F. Coates UUP
1719231929 William George Turner UUP
1819291931 Sir William F. Coates UUP
1919311942 Sir Crawford McCullagh UUP
2019421942 George Ruddell Black UUP
2119431946 Sir Crawford McCullagh UUP
2219461949 Sir William F. Neill UUP
2319491951 William E. G. Johnston UUP
2419511953 James Henry Norritt UUP
2519531955 Sir Percival Brown UUP
2619551957 Sir Robert Harcourt UUP
2719571959 Cecil McKee UUP
2819591961 Robin Kinahan UUP
2919611963 Martin Kelso Wallace UUP
3019631966 William Jenkins UUP
3119661969 William Duncan Geddis UUP
3219691972 Joseph Foster Cairns UUP
3319721975 Sir William Christie UUP
3419751977 Sir Myles Humphreys UUP
3519771978James Stewart UUP
3619781979 David Cook Alliance
3719791980 Billy Bell UUP
3819801981 John Carson UUP
3919811982 Grace Bannister UUP
4019821983 Thomas Patton UUP
4119831985 Alfie Ferguson UUP
4219851986 John Carson UUP
4319861987 Sammy Wilson DUP
4419871988J.J. Dixon Gilmore UUP
4519881989 Nigel Dodds DUP
4619891990 Reg Empey UUP
4719901991 Fred Cobain UUP
4819911992 Nigel Dodds DUP
4919921993 Herbert Ditty UUP
5019931994 Reg Empey UUP
5119941995 Hugh Smyth PUP
5219951996 Eric Smyth DUP
5319961997 Ian Adamson UUP
5419971998 Alban Maginness SDLP
5519981999 David Alderdice Alliance
5619992000 Bob Stoker UUP

21st century

No.FromToNameParty
5720002001 Sammy Wilson DUP
5820012002 Jim Rodgers UUP
5920022003 Alex Maskey Sinn Féin
6020032004 Martin Morgan SDLP
6120042005Tom Ekin Alliance
6220052006 Wallace Browne DUP
6320062007 Patrick McCarthy SDLP
6420072008 Jim Rodgers UUP
6520082009 Tom Hartley Sinn Féin
6620092010 Naomi Long Alliance
6720102011Pat Convery SDLP
6820112012 Niall Ó Donnghaile Sinn Féin
6920122013 Gavin Robinson DUP
7020132014 Máirtín Ó Muilleoir Sinn Féin
7120142015 Nichola Mallon SDLP
7220152016Arder Carson Sinn Féin
7320162017 Brian Kingston DUP
7420172018 Nuala McAllister Alliance
7520182019 Deirdre Hargey Sinn Féin
7620192019 John Finucane Sinn Féin
7720192020 Daniel Baker Sinn Féin
7820202021 Frank McCoubrey DUP
7920212022 Kate Nicholl Alliance
8020222022 Michael Long Alliance
8120222023 Tina Black Sinn Féin
8220232024Ryan Murphy Sinn Féin
832024Micky Murray Alliance

Deputy Lord Mayors

20th century

No.FromToNameParty
119751977 Grace Bannister UUP
19771979Post vacant
219781979 Dorothy Dunlop UUP
19791980Post vacant
19801981Post vacant
319811982 Frank Millar Ind. Unionist
419821983Frederick Edward (Ted) Ashby DUP
519831984 Hugh Smyth PUP
619841985 Billy Blair UUP
719851986 Billy Dickson DUP
819861987 Dixie Gilmore UUP
19871988Post vacant
919881989 Reg Empey UUP
19891990Post vacant
1019901991 Eric Smyth DUP
1219911992 Herbert Ditty UUP
1319921993 Frank Millar Ind. Unionist
1419931994 Hugh Smyth PUP
1519941995 Ian Adamson UUP
1619951996 Alasdair McDonnell SDLP
1719961997Margaret Crooks UUP
1819971998 Jim Rodgers UUP
1919981999 Bob Stoker UUP
2019992000Marie Moore Sinn Féin

21st century

No.FromToNameParty
2120002001 Frank McCoubrey Ulster Democratic
2220012002 Hugh Smyth PUP
20022003Post vacant
2320032004Margaret Crooks UUP
2420042005Joe O'Donnell Sinn Féin
2520052006Pat Convery SDLP
2620062007Ruth Patterson DUP
2720072008Bernie Kelly SDLP
2820082009 David Browne UUP
2920092010Danny Lavery Sinn Féin
3020102011 William Humphrey DUP
3120112012Ruth Patterson DUP
3220122013Tierna Cunningham Sinn Féin
3320132014 Christopher Stalford DUP
3420142015 Máire Hendron Alliance
3520152016Guy Spence DUP
3620162017Mary Ellen Campbell Sinn Féin
3720172018Sonia Copeland UUP
3820182019Emmet McDonough-Brown Alliance
3920192020 Peter McReynolds Alliance
4020202021Paul McCusker SDLP
4120212022Tom Haire DUP
4220222023Michelle Kelly Alliance
4320232024Áine Groogan Green (NI)
442024Andrew McCormick

See also

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References

  1. "How to address the Lord Mayor". Belfast City Council . Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  2. "Lord Mayor". Belfast City Council. Archived from the original on 7 June 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  3. Benn, George (2008). A History of the Town of Belfast: From the Earliest Times to the Close of the Eighteenth Century. Oxford: Blackstaff Press. ISBN   978-0856408328.
  4. "Fletcher of Cockermouth Hall, Cumberland, England". RootsWeb. 5 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2 November 2018.
  5. "Former Mayors (1842 to 1891)". Belfast City Council. Archived from the original on 1 June 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  6. "Former Lord Mayors (1892 to 2008)". Belfast City Council. Archived from the original on 14 March 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2011.