The Lord Mayor of Dublin (As Gaeilge: Ardmhéara Bhaile Átha Cliath) is the symbolic head of the city government of Dublin, the capital of Ireland. The Lord Mayor is elected to office annually by members of Dublin City Council from amongst its members.
The Mayor of Dublin position was created in June 1229 by Prince Henry III. This title was elevated to Lord Mayor in 1665 by King Charles II. Before 1840, the Lord Mayor was selected through a complicated method from the City Assembly. Since 1840, the Dublin City Council has elected the Lord Mayor from among its own members.
In the present day, the Lord Mayor of Dublin is the symbolic head of the city government in Dublin. The Lord Mayor is known as first citizen of Dublin and acts as Ambassador for the city locally and internationally. During his/her term of office, the Lord Mayor lives and works in the official residence, the Mansion House on Dawson Street. The Lord Mayor presides at meetings of the City Council, signs its records of proceedings, and represents the city at public events.
The first Lord Mayor of Dublin was Sir Daniel Bellingham in 1665. The most famous Lord Mayor of Dublin was Irish Patriot Daniel O'Connell in 1841. Alfie Byrne was Lord Mayor for nine consecutive years from 1931 to 1938. There have been seven female Lord Mayors.
Dublin City Coat of Arms
Dublin's coat-of-arms is the identifying emblem of the City of Dublin and has been in use in one form or another for at least 400 years. The full coat-of-arms shows three burning castles on a shield, flanked by two female figures.
One holds a scales depicting Justice (without the usual blindfold) - the other, a sword representing Law. Each holds an olive branch. Below the shield on a scroll is the motto of the city "Obedientia Civium Urbis Felicitas" which translates as "The Obedience of the citizens produces a happy city"
The origin of the Coat of Arms is unknown, but there are numerous theories. Three of these include:
The castles are watch towers outside the city walls
The castle is Dublin Castle and is repeated 3 times because of the mystical significance of the number 3
The castles are not castles at all, but represent 3 gates into the ancient Viking city
