Armagh City and District Council facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Armagh City and District
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| Area | 671 km2 (259 sq mi) Ranked 6th of 26 |
| District HQ | Armagh |
| Catholic | 48.4% |
| Protestant | 48% |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
| Councillors |
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Armagh City and District Council was a local government body in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It was responsible for running local services and making decisions for the people living in its area. In May 2015, this council joined with two other councils, Banbridge District Council and Craigavon Borough Council. Together, they formed a new, larger council called Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council.
The council's area included the historic city of Armagh and the land around it. Armagh officially became a city in 1995. It has always been an important place for managing things. For example, the main offices for education and health services in the south of Northern Ireland were located there. Queen's University of Belfast also has a learning center in Armagh. The city is also very important for religion, as the leaders of both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland live there.
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How the Council Worked
The Armagh City and District Council area was divided into four smaller parts: Armagh City, Cusher, Crossmore, and The Orchard. People living in these areas voted to choose 22 councillors. These councillors represented the community and made decisions for the council. They were elected for four-year terms using a system called proportional representation, which means seats are given out fairly based on how many votes each party gets.
At the last election in 2011, councillors were elected from several political parties:
- 6 from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)
- 6 from Sinn Féin
- 5 from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)
- 4 from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)
- 1 independent councillor, Paul Berry
The last person to hold the title of Mayor of Armagh was Councillor Freda Donnelly from the DUP. Elections for local councils were supposed to happen in 2009, but they were put off until 2011. This was because the government planned to create fewer, larger councils.
The Armagh City and District Council area, along with part of Newry and Mourne, also formed a larger area called Newry & Armagh. This area elected representatives to the Westminster Parliament in London and the Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast.
Lord Mayor of Armagh
In 2012, something special happened for Armagh City and District. During the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II (which celebrated 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II's rule), the council was given the special title of "Lord Mayoralty." This meant that the head of the council would now be called the Lord Mayor of Armagh City and District Council. Before 2012, from 1995 onwards, the position was simply known as the Mayor of Armagh City and District Council.
The Lord Mayor is like the main representative of the city and district. They attend important events and help promote the area.
Past Mayors and Lord Mayors
Here are some of the people who held the top position in the council:
Mayors of Armagh (1995-2012)
- 1995 – 96: Jim Nicholson, Ulster Unionist Party
- 1996 – 97: Jim Speers, Ulster Unionist Party
- 1997 – 98: Pat Brannigan, Social Democratic and Labour Party
- 1998 – 99: Robert Turner, Ulster Unionist Party
- 1999 – 00: Tom Canavan, Social Democratic and Labour Party
- 2000 – 01: Jimmy Clayton, Ulster Unionist Party
- 2001 – 02: Sylvia McRoberts, Ulster Unionist Party
- 2002 – 03: Anna Brolly, Social Democratic and Labour Party
- 2003 – 04: Pat O'Rawe, Sinn Féin
- 2004 – 05: Eric Speers, Ulster Unionist Party
- 2005 – 06: John Campbell, Social Democratic and Labour Party
- 2006 – 07: William Irwin, Democratic Unionist Party
- 2007 – 08: Charles Rollston, Ulster Unionist Party
- 2008 – 09: Noel Sheridan, Sinn Féin
- 2009 – 10: Thomas O'Hanlon, Social Democratic and Labour Party
- 2010 – 11: Jim Speers, Ulster Unionist Party
- 2011 – 12: Freda Donnelly, Democratic Unionist Party
Lord Mayors of Armagh (2012-2015)
- 2012 – 13: Sharon Haughey, Social Democratic and Labour Party
- 2013 – 14: Robert Turner, Ulster Unionist Party
- 2014 – 15: Cathy Rafferty, Sinn Féin
Lord Mayors of the New Council
- For Lord Mayors after 2015, you can look at the article for the new council: Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council.
Population of the Area
According to the 2011 Northern Ireland census, the area that was covered by Armagh City and District Council had a population of 59,340 people.
