Key Dates

1229: King Henry III creates the office of Mayor of Dublin. He also issues a charter allowing the citizens of Dublin to elect a Mayor every year.

1229: Richard Muton is elected the first Mayor of Dublin.

1641: The title of Mayor is changed to Lord Mayor. However, this does not come into force immediately.

1665: Dublin City Assembly decides that Sir Daniel Bellingham should be first to take the title of Lord Mayor of Dublin. A full list of Dublin City's Lord Mayors from 1665 to date is available below.

1672: New regulations are introduced. This means that the election of Lord Mayor requires the approval of the Viceroy (Lord Lieutenant) of Ireland.

1760: The Common Council of Dublin draws up recommendations for constitutional changes to the city assembly. This means that the Commons has to approve the election of the Lord Mayor.

1840: The Municipal Corporations Reform (Ireland) Act is passed. Under this Act, all rate payers with a yearly valuation of £10 can vote in civic elections and sit on the council.

1841: The Municipal Corporations Reform (Ireland) Act comes into force. Dublin Corporation (now Dublin City Council) becomes the new municipal authority for the city of Dublin. Dublin City Assembly holds its last meeting at the City Assembly House in South William Street.

1841: Daniel O’Connell is elected to the new Dublin Corporation and takes office as Lord Mayor of Dublin. He is the first Roman Catholic to be Lord Mayor since 1690.

For more information

Mary Clark,
City Archivist,
Library Headquarter,
138-144 Pearse Street,
Dublin 2.

Tel: (01) 6744996
Email: [email protected]