Buncrana mayoral chain returns to public display in former town council office

The chain of office worn by mayors of Buncrana for almost 40 years until the council was abolished just over a decade ago has been returned to public view and is now on display in the former Town Council offices, which are now home to the Inishowen Innovation Hub.
The restored chain and a plaque listing every Mayor of Buncrana from 1889-2014 was officially unveiled on January 22 by Donegal County Council chief executive John McLaughlin, accompanied by Cathaoirleach Paul Canning and Inishowen Municipal District Cathaoirleach Martin McDermott.
The event was also attended by local elected members and former Buncrana Town Councillors.

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The chain, which has undergone restoration work, is housed in a specially commissioned display case within the building.
Speaking at the unveiling, Mr McLaughlin reflected on the history of Buncrana Town Council, the significance of the former council offices and the role played by successive mayors over more than a century of local government in the town.
The Mayor’s Chain was first commissioned in the 1970s and was sponsored by WP McCarter Ltd, a major textile firm. It was first worn by Fine Gael town councillor Seán McLaughlin, while the final mayor to wear the chain was his son, Peter McLaughlin, who served during 2013/14 before the abolition of Buncrana Town Council.

Also returned to the building is the plaque listing every Mayor of Buncrana from 1899 to 2014, ensuring the town’s mayoral history is now restored to public view in its former civic home.