I was at a civic reception in Wexford Opera House on Thursday. The Borough Council and the County Council hosted the reception in honour of the Football Association of Ireland, the members of which have gathered in Wexford this week for the FAI Annual General Meeting and the week-long Festival of Football in the county.

Surrounded by all the stars of Irish soccer, was the Mace of Wexford Borough.  It’s one of three Maces owned by the Borough and dates from the early 18th century.  It is made of Irish silver and engraved on it are the Fleur de Lys of France, the Thistle of Scotland, the Rose of England, the Harp of Ireland and of course the Arms of Wexford Town – the Three Burning Ships.  The Mace represents the authority of the Mayor & the Borough Council and last Thursday in the Opera House was under the protective eye of the uniformed Sergeant of the Mace, who is always present when the Mace appears at ceremonial occasions.  Deputising for the Mayor was Councillor Davy Hynes in the full robes and chain of office.

Wexford Town and Harbour from the air

Talking to three times Mayor, Councillor Philomena Roche whose most recent term finished six weeks ago, she told me some of the history of Wexford Borough.  Traditionally Wexford was one of only five towns (or boroughs) in Ireland to have a Mayor, whilst the cities have Lord Mayors.  Visitors to Wexford often mistakenly refer to our town as a city, and indeed we have many features of a small city, not least an international Opera House.  The town received its first charter in 1317 and the earliest recorded Mayor was Walter Dene in 1369.  The charters changed over the years with political upheaval and change of English monarch, but there has been a charter continuously in force to this day, with the exception of a period from 1840 to 1846.  The current charter dates from 1846 and is kept in the Municipal Buildings.  The new Mayor is Counsellor Joe Ryan and I look forward to welcoming him to the Opera House as our honoured guest on opening night of this year’s Festival.

There’s always been a close connection between opera and the Wexford Borough Council (formerly Wexford Corporation).  Indeed, the first production of opera in the town took place in the Corporation Assembly Rooms in 1778.  You will know the Assembly Rooms as Wexford Arts Centre, and the building still plays a pivotal role in Wexford Festival Opera each year.  Wexford Corporation was a supporter of the establishment of Wexford Festival in 1951 and awarded the Festival’s founder Dr. Tom J. Walsh the Freedom of the Borough in 1976.

The twelve members of the Borough Council traditionally attend, in full ceremonial robes, the Festival Mass in Rowe Street Church and the Service of Thanksgiving in St. Iberius Church on the two Sunday’s during the Festival and this year will be no different.  So when you see them in their robes, remember that they carry on a tradition and responsibility dating back nearly seven hundred years.

Enjoy your weekend.  Peter.

For more information on Wexford’s history read Billy Colfer’s “Wexford, a Town and its Landscape” and see the history section Wexford Borough Council website at http://www.wexfordcorp.ie/bc/OurTownandHistory/History/HistoryofBoroughCouncil/