John Francis King
Encyclopedia
John Francis King was the Mayor of Galway
from 1978–1979.
King was born in the family home on Forster Street, but was in fact descended from a very old and prominent Claddagh
family, his grandfather been Padge King
, King of the Claddagh
. His parents were Paddy and Delia. Educated by the Patrician Brothers
at the Old Monastery school, he began an apprenticeship with O'Gorman's Bookbinders in August 1941. On 12 January 1954 he married Teresa Murphy of Fairhill, the Claddagh
, and had Della, Paddy, John, Bernadette, Martina and Tony.
He was elected to the Corporation as an Independent in June 1974, and acted as deputy-Mayor that year. Elected Mayor in 1978, his first civic duty was attending the twinning ceremony of Galway with St. Louis at UCG
on 4 July. Prior to the engagement, King had made some notes for his speech which he left in his pocket. When he began his speech, he found that one of the notes was black while the second contained the measurements for his new suit. He made a point ever afterwards never to have a pre-prepared speech. An innovation of his term was the innovation of each councillor standing as deputy-Mayor for one month.
Mayor of Galway
The office of Mayor of Galway is an honorific title used by the of Galway City Council. The Council has jurisdiction throughout its administrative area which is the city of Galway – the largest city in the province of Connacht, in the Republic of Ireland. The office was originally established by a...
from 1978–1979.
King was born in the family home on Forster Street, but was in fact descended from a very old and prominent Claddagh
Claddagh
Claddagh is an area close to the centre of Galway city, where the Corrib River meets Galway Bay. It was formerly a fishing village, just outside the old city walls. It is just across the river from the Spanish Arch, which was the location of regular fish markets where the locals supplied the city...
family, his grandfather been Padge King
Padge King
-Biography:King was one of the earliest recorded Kings of the Claddagh. The Galway Vindicator of 12 May 1887 stated that "This custom of appointing their own ruler prevails among the Claddagh folk at the present day, with the difference that, in place of an annual election, the distinction seems to...
, King of the Claddagh
King of the Claddagh
The King of the Claddagh was the title given to the leader of the Claddagh community in Galway City. It is now a honarary role.-Background:Up to the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Claddagh was a distinct Irish speaking community across the Corrib River from Galway City, with its own king, who...
. His parents were Paddy and Delia. Educated by the Patrician Brothers
Patrician Brothers
The Patrician Brothers, or Brothers of Saint Patrick, are a Roman Catholic congregation for the religious and literary education of youth and the instruction of the faithful in Christian piety.-History:This Brotherhood was founded by the Right Rev. Dr...
at the Old Monastery school, he began an apprenticeship with O'Gorman's Bookbinders in August 1941. On 12 January 1954 he married Teresa Murphy of Fairhill, the Claddagh
Claddagh
Claddagh is an area close to the centre of Galway city, where the Corrib River meets Galway Bay. It was formerly a fishing village, just outside the old city walls. It is just across the river from the Spanish Arch, which was the location of regular fish markets where the locals supplied the city...
, and had Della, Paddy, John, Bernadette, Martina and Tony.
He was elected to the Corporation as an Independent in June 1974, and acted as deputy-Mayor that year. Elected Mayor in 1978, his first civic duty was attending the twinning ceremony of Galway with St. Louis at UCG
UCG
UCG may refer to:* University of Montenegro * Underground coal gasification, a gasification process carried on in non-mined coal seams using injection and production wells drilled from the surface...
on 4 July. Prior to the engagement, King had made some notes for his speech which he left in his pocket. When he began his speech, he found that one of the notes was black while the second contained the measurements for his new suit. He made a point ever afterwards never to have a pre-prepared speech. An innovation of his term was the innovation of each councillor standing as deputy-Mayor for one month.
External links
- http://www.galwaycity.ie/AllServices/YourCouncil/HistoryofTheCityCouncil/PreviousMayors/