"WHAT'S THE plural for lord mayors?" asked one photographer as, for the first time in more than half a century, the lord mayors of Ireland's three biggest cities met in Dublin last night.
"I don't know," said Lord Mayor of Dublin Paddy Bourke as he welcomed his counterparts, Belfast Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers and Lord Mayor of Cork Donal Counihan, to the Mansion House.
It was the first time since 1955 that the holders of the three posts have come together.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Rodgers said that in past decades it would not have been politically advisable for any of the lord mayors to have had such a meeting.
"Because of the Troubles, it would not have been the politically correct thing to do. But things have changed now and I said to them that I thought it would be of political benefit to all of us if we got together for the first time since 1955."
Cllr Bourke said: "I thought it would be a very good idea for the three lord mayors in the island of Ireland to come together and exchange views and to show people that were are able to co-operate."
Away from the symbolism, the lord mayors will be discussing important issues that affect all their areas, recycling and waste management and visiting a housing regeneration project in Dublin.
All three men are approaching the end of their tenures as lord mayor, but Cllr Bourke said he expected that similar meetings would take place in the future in Cork and Belfast.
The engagement will include a joint courtesy call to the Phoenix Park where the three mayors will meet President Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin.
Cllr Counihan said he was looking forward to discussing and seeing a number of projects during his visit to Dublin.
