Mayor of Limerick John Moran vested with chains of office at historic ceremony

Mayor of Limerick John Moran pictured above at his inauguration. Picture: Don Moloney

Mayor of Limerick John Moran spoke at his inauguration ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral

The country’s first ever directly elected mayor has vowed to “serve all of you the people of Limerick to the best of my ability.”

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran was speaking at his inauguration ceremony which took place today in front of 200 invited guests at St Mary’s Cathedral in the city.

Dressed in ceremonial robes and led by a piper into Limerick’s oldest building, the new Mayor was vested with the Mayoral Chain of Office by outgoing Mayor of Limerick City and County, Gerald Mitchell.

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It follows the history making election of a Mayor of Limerick with executive powers on June 7^th.

The new Mayor of Limerick spoke of a “new energy and a new confidence in the air” since the election, saying, “On June 7, in ways that pleased me so much personally, Limerick not only voted for change, it also united as one Limerick. With a resounding message to a world which is too often drawn to division, Limerick declared it sees its own strength in its diversity. Let those who try to sow division in our society hear that message clearly. Limerick voted for a vision of one Limerick and a Limerick which will include everyone, rural and urban as well as new and old communities right across the entire county.”

At the inauguration ceremony, schoolchildren, Shaheer Ghaffer, Sean Fitzgerald and Tia Costelloe asked the Mayor, “will you diligently perform the responsibilities entrusted to you and serve the people of Limerick to the best of your ability?”

“I will” was the answer from Mayor Moran who later added, “For the first time in the history of Limerick, the Mayor of Limerick, or Meara Luimnigh is not just the Mayor, but is the Mayor of the people and belongs truly to them! Limerick has taken its place, unique among all of the local authorities in Ireland, as a place where all residents who can vote now select their mayor. That is a special and valued right.”

Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly described the occasion as “ a significant milestone” in Limerick’s journey, saying, “From our rich medieval heritage to our vibrant arts, cultural and sports scene, Limerick has consistently led the way. Today, we add another chapter to our legacy—a Mayor elected directly by the people, with a mandate to shape our future.”

Dr Daly added: “Mayor Moran, you carry the hopes and dreams of your community, and we trust that you will work alongside us toward a more prosperous and vibrant Limerick. One Limerick, with one voice. Together, now, we’ll continue to make history.”

Members of the public had the chance to meet with the newly vested Mayor of Limerick at Limerick City and County Council’s Headquarters at Merchants Quay following the ceremony.

On a day of firsts for Local Government in Limerick, the inaugural annual meeting of the new look Limerick City and County Council took place in the Council Chamber in Dooradoyle.

The 40 Limerick Councillors elected by the public in the local elections on 07 June gathered for their first formal session. Ten of these councillors were elected for the first time. 12 councillors, or 30% are female, a new high for gender representation on the Council. It was also the first meeting to be attended by Ireland’s first ever directly elected mayor, Mayor of Limerick, John Moran.

Read more about the Mayor of Limerick role at Limerick.ie

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