New Chain of Office Handed Over to Wicklow Town Council

A new chain of office was handed over to Wicklow Town Mayor, Bob Kearns this week to mark the change of the local authority's status from Urban to Town Council and of its Chairman to Mayor.

Councils had the option under Local Government Reform to change their title and bestow `Town Mayor' status on their

(L to R) TownClerk, Frank O'Toole, Bank of Ireland manager, Colin Kingston, Wicklow Mayor, Bob Kearns, County Manager, Eddie Sheehy and Acting Town Manager, Philip Duffy.

chairpersons. Public representatives in Wicklow town opted for the change but felt that a new chain of office should go with it.

This week, Colin Kingston, Manager of the Wicklow branch of Bank of Ireland said he was very happy to sponsor the chain and felt sure that Bob Kearns and future Mayors would wear it with pride and distinction.

`Wicklow is a wonderful town that has a lot to offer its growing population. Business is very buoyant in Wicklow at the moment and we should all `talk up' the town no matter where we go'. he added.

Mayor Kearns said that major plans are in place for Wicklow. He said that the refurbishment of the Town Hall in 1999 was phase one of the project and work will commence soon on changing the Market square. He paid tribute to Mr. Kingston and the Bank of Ireland as well as Brian Clarke from Rathdrum who designed the chain.