Tug of war develops over former Clonakilty council’s chain of office

A tug of war is developing over a chain of office belonging to a former town council, which could put some councillors and their officials on a collision course.

Councillors in West Cork are supporting a move to have a former town council’s chain of office handed over to a new group which is not recognised by the local authority.

Following the abolition of town councils a few months ago, the people of Clonakilty, Co Cork, decided to elect their own voluntary mayor and town committee, believed to be the first of its type in the country.

The county council wants to install the former chain of office and mayoral robe in a museum.

However, the eight county councillors based in West Cork have backed a move to give them to the new voluntary organisation instead, which may set them on a collision course with County Hall officials.

At a meeting earlier this week Cllr Michael Collins (Ind) proposed the motion which got the full backing of his colleagues.

“The chain and robe is part of Clonakilty’s history and we in Cork County Council should be supportive of the new Clonakilty Mayoral Council in their efforts to have them used for public occasions in the town,” Cllr Collins said.

He pointed out that each link of the chain had been purchased by former mayors, or their families.

“Also much work has been done by the Clonakilty ICA to the robe. It was felt by the Clonakilty Mayoral Council that due to the fact that they had carried out democratic elections and that this chain and robe was such an important part of Clonakilty it should be given to the elected mayor each year to use for important occasions,” Cllr Collins said.

He said the new Mayoral Council didn’t want the items put in a museum.

“If we are to give any encouragement to other towns to set up Mayoral Community Councils we should be seen to support them retaining their chains and robes.”