DURING her final week as a public representative, outgoing Mayor Kathleen Leddin presented her mayoral robe to Limerick Museum and Archives, where it will go on display in its new home in the former Franciscan Church.
From the 13th century, the Mayor and Council of Limerick were viewed as being like a local King and Parliament with the mayor bedecked in robes, carry a mace and addressed as ‘your worship’.
Mayor Leddin’s mayoral robe will now be displayed among other rare items in the city’s history including a mace bearer’s uniform and a civic sword — regarded as one of the oldest in the country having been bequeathed to Limerick by Queen Elizabeth I.
“I am deeply honoured to have been able to serve as the first citizen of my home city and as Mayor of Limerick. The museum’s collections are a mirror to Limerick’s social and economic past and are a treasure for the people of Limerick and its visitors,” said Mayor Leddin.
“I’m delighted that the mayoral robe will now take its place among these wonderful heirlooms from our past,” she added.
Limerick City and County Council is in discussions to finalise the details on the lease of the Franciscan Church for use as a museum and it is planned to move Limerick Museum and Archives to the new premises.
