James Gallagher (mayor) facts for kids

Sir James Michael Gallagher (born 1860, died 1925) was an important Irish businessman. He was also the Lord Mayor of Dublin for two terms, which means he was the main leader of the city government.

Early Life and Business

James Michael Gallagher was born in Kiltyclogher, a small town in County Leitrim, Ireland. His father's name was Patrick Gallagher.

By 1889, James had moved to the bigger city of Dublin. There, he started his own business. He imported and sold cigars. His business grew, and by 1905, he owned four shops across the city.

Entering Politics

Gallagher became involved in local government. On January 15, 1908, he was elected to the Dublin Corporation. This was like the city council for Dublin. He represented an area called Fitzwilliam Ward. He was part of a political group called the United Irish League.

He continued to serve on the Dublin Corporation for many years. His time there ended in 1924. This was when the Irish Free State government temporarily stopped the corporation from working. In 1913, he was also made a Justice of the Peace. This meant he could help with minor legal matters and keep order.

Leading Dublin as Lord Mayor

James Gallagher was chosen to be the Lord Mayor of Dublin for two years in a row. He served as an Independent leader from 1915 to 1917. This means he didn't belong to a specific political party during his time as mayor.

Rebuilding Dublin After the Easter Rising

Gallagher's time as Lord Mayor was very challenging. It happened during the Easter Rising in 1916. This was a major event where parts of Dublin were badly damaged. The city faced a lot of problems and instability.

Lord Mayor Gallagher strongly believed that the British government should help Dublin. He argued that they should pay for the damage caused during the Rising. He famously said, "They blew up the best portion of our city and... it is their duty to replace it."

His efforts, along with other groups like the Dublin Fire and Property Losses Association, made a difference. In June 1916, a special group was set up. It was called the Property Losses (Ireland) Committee. Its job was to figure out how much property was lost and damaged.

Getting Help for Dublin

In July 1916, Gallagher traveled to London. He went there to ask the British government for help. He wanted money to rebuild Dublin. He also wanted better rules for city planning.

His trip was successful. The Dublin Corporation received a loan of £700,000. This was a lot of money at the time! Also, a new law was passed in December 1916. It was called the Dublin Reconstruction (Emergency Provisions) Act 1916. This law helped with the rebuilding of the city.

After visiting London, Gallagher went to Paris. He saw an exhibition there called the Exposition de la Cité Réconstitutée. This show displayed plans for rebuilding cities in France and Belgium. These cities had been destroyed during the First World War.

In October 1916, Lord Mayor Gallagher spoke at a meeting of the Dublin Corporation. He defended how the city was being managed. This was because a newspaper, The Irish Times, had criticized the city's leaders. At the end of his second term in 1917, he was given the title of Knight Bachelor. This meant he was now known as Sir James Michael Gallagher.