City status in Ireland

See also: List of towns in the Republic of Ireland

In the island of Ireland, the term city has somewhat differing meanings in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Historically, city status in the United Kingdom, and before that in the Kingdom of Ireland, was a ceremonial designation. It carried more prestige than the alternative municipal titles "borough", "town" and "township", but gave no extra legal powers. This remains the case in Northern Ireland, which is still part of the United Kingdom. In the Republic of Ireland, "city" has an additional designation in local government.

History up to 1920

Before the Partition of Ireland in 1920–22, the island formed a single jurisdiction in which "city" had a common history.

The first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. city (published 1893), explains that in England, from the time of Henry VIII, the word was applied to towns with Church of England cathedrals. It goes on to say:

The history of the word in Ireland is somewhat parallel. Probably all or most of the places having bishops have been styled on some occasion civitas; but some of these are mere hamlets, and the term 'city' is currently applied only to a few of them which are ancient and important boroughs. Thom's Directory applies it to Dublin, Cork, Londonderry, Limerick ('City of the violated treaty'), Kilkenny, and Waterford; also to Armagh and Cashel, but not to Tuam or Galway (though the latter is often called 'the City of the Tribes'). Belfast was, in 1888, created a 'city' by Royal Letters Patent.

Cathair

In most European languages, there is no distinction between "city" and "town", with the same word translating both English words; for example, ville in French, or Stadt in German.

In Modern Irish, "city" is translated cathair^[1] and "town" is translated baile;^[2] however, this is a recent convention; previously baile was applied to any settlement,^[3] while cathair meant a walled or stone fortress, monastery, or city.^[4] For example, Dublin, long the metropolis of the island, has been called Baile Átha Cliath since the fifteenth century,^[5] while its earliest city charter is from 1172.^[6] The Irish text of the Constitution of Ireland translates "city of Dublin" as cathair Bhaile Átha Chliath,^[7] combining the modern sense of cathair with the historic sense of Baile. Conversely, the original Irish names of such smaller settlements as Cahir, Cahirciveen, Caherdaniel, or Westport (Cathair na Mart) use cathair in the older sense.

Civitas

See also: List of cathedrals in Ireland

In the Roman Empire, the Latin civitas referred originally to the jurisdiction of a capital town, typically the territory of a single conquered tribe.^[8] Later it came to mean the capital town itself.^[8] When Christianity was organised in Gaul, each diocese was the territory of a tribe, and each bishop resided in the civitas.^[8] Thus civitas came to mean the site of a cathedral.^[8] This usage carried over generally to Anglo-Norman cité and English city in England. William Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England of 1765^[9] cites Edward Coke's Institutes of the Lawes of England of 1634:^[10]

A city is a town incorporated, which is or hath been the see of a bishop; and though the bishoprick be dissolved, as at Westminster, yet still it remaineth a city Subsequent legal authorities disputed this assertion; pointing out that the City of Westminster gained its status not implicitly from its (former) cathedral but rather explicitly from letters patent issued by Henry VIII shortly after the Diocese was established.^[10]

In any case it was moot whether the association of city with dioceses applied to Ireland. A 1331 writ of Edward III is addressed, among others, to "Civibus civitatis Dublin, —de Droghda, — de Waterford, de Cork, — de Limrik" implying civitas status for Drogheda.^[11] Some credence to the episcopal connection was given by the 1835 Report of the Commissioners into Municipal Corporations in Ireland^[12][13] and the 1846 Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland (see below).

Whereas the Normans moved many English sees from a rural location to a regional hub, the cathedrals of the established Church of Ireland remained at the often rural sites agreed at the twelfth century Synod of Rathbreasail and Synod of Kells. The Roman Catholic church in Ireland had no cathedrals during the Protestant Ascendancy.

Downpatrick is noted as "the City of Down" is a 1403 record, although no granting instrument is known.^[14] The Corporation was defunct by 1661, when Charles II initiated plans to revive it, which were not completed.^[14]

A mediaeval constitution of the "City of Clogher" was discovered in Wales in 1979.^[15] The borough constituency in the Irish House of Commons was officially called "City of Clogher"; though there was no corporation and it was a pocket borough of the Bishop of Clogher. It was disestablished by the Acts of Union 1800.

John Caillard Erck records of Old Leighlin, "So flourishing indeed was this town in subsequent times, that it received the appellation of the city of Leighlin, and was inhabited by eighty-six burgesses during the prelacy of Richard Rocomb, who died in 1420."^[16]

Royal charters

For seven settlements in Ireland (listed below), the title "city" was historically conferred by the awarding of a royal charter which used the word "city" in the name of the body corporate charged with governing the settlement. (In fact, charters were for centuries written in Latin, with civitas denoting "city" and villa "town".) Armagh had no charter recognising it as a city but claimed the title by prescription; acts of the Parliament of Ireland in 1773 and 1791 refer to the "city of Armagh".^[17]

The label "city" carried prestige but was purely ceremonial and did not in practice affect the municipal government. However, a section of the Newtown Act of 1748^[18] allowed for members of a Corporation to be non-resident of its municipality in the case of "any town corporate or borough, not being a city".^[19] This was enacted because there were too few Protestants in smaller towns to make up the numbers.^[19][20] The 1835 Report of the Commissioners on Municipal Corporations in Ireland questioned whether it was applicable in the case of Armagh and Tuam, both being episcopal sees and hence "cities" in Blackstone's definition. In fact, non-residents had served on both corporations.^[12][13]

There is one reference in James I's 1609 charter for Wexford to "our said city of Wexford", but the rest of the charter describes it as a town or borough.^[21]

After the Union

After the Acts of Union 1800, Ireland was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and British law governed the award and removal of the title "city".

The Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840 abolished both those corporations which were already de facto defunct and those which were most egregiously unrepresentative. The latter category included Armagh and Cashel. It was moot whether these ipso facto were no longer cities; some later sources continued to describe them as such.

Prior to the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, eight Irish municipalities were counties corporate. This was distinct from being a city. Five of the eight were "County of the City", the other three being "County of the Town". The other cities —Londonderry, and until 1840 Cashel and Armagh— were not governed separately from their surrounding counties; however, the official name of County Londonderry was for long "the City and County of Londonderry".

The Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland

The 1846 Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland uses the label "city" in a variety of ways. For Cork,^[22] Dublin,^[23] Kilkenny,^[24] Limerick,^[25] Londonderry,^[26] and Waterford,^[27] the definition at the start of the relevant article includes "a city". Armagh is defined as "[a] post, market, and ancient town, a royal borough, the capital of a county, and the ecclesiastical metropolis of Ireland"; however it is called a "city" throughout its article.^[28] Cashel is treated similarly to Armagh.^[29] For other episcopal seats, "city" is not used, or used in hedged descriptions like "episcopal city",^[30][31] "ancient city",^{[30][31][32][33]} or "nominal city".^[34][35] Of Kilfenora it says, "It belongs to the same category as Emly, Clonfert, Kilmacduagh, Ardfert, Connor, Clogher, Kilmore, Ferns, and Achonry, in exhibiting a shrunk and ghastly caricature upon the practical notion of a 'city;' and nothing but its episcopal name and historical associations prevent it from being regarded as a mean and shabby hamlet."^[36] Of Elphin it says "the general tone of at once masonry, manners, and business, is a hideous satire upon the idea of 'a city.'"^[37] Of Downpatrick it says "it displays a striking, and almost outré combination of unique and common place character, of ancient piles and modern edifices curiously mingling the features of city and village, of political grandeur and social littleness."^[38] There are passing references in other articles to "the city of Tuam",^[39] and "the city of Killaloe".^[40][41]

Belfast

Belfast in 1887 applied to be granted city status on the occasion of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.^[42] The Home Office objected to setting a precedent for granting city status to towns not episcopal sees.^[43] Thomas Sexton asked in the House of Commons:^[44]

with regard to the granting of the City Charter to Belfast. A Question was lately put in the House upon the subject, and ... [ W. H. Smith] replied ... that the Government did not intend to recommend any such grant in connection with Her Majesty's Jubilee. ... I will ask him for a reply upon the point ... I do not know that there is much difference between a town and a city; but some people prefer the title of city, and if there is any advantage in a place being called a city, I think the people of Belfast are entitled to have their choice. There are eight cities in Ireland, and Belfast is next to Dublin in point of importance; according to Thom's information, it is the first town of manufacturing importance. I believe there is a strong desire that the title of city should be given to the place. ... It seems absurd that Belfast should be shut out from any City Charter, while Armagh, with 10,000 of a population, is a city; and when Cashell, with a population of 4,000, enjoys the distinction also. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be able to say that, in consideration of the importance of the town, the Government will recommend the Crown to grant to it the title of city. Like civility, a Charter of this kind costs nothing; and, therefore, I think that this Charter might be promptly and gracefully conceded to the town.

In 1888, the request was granted by letters patent, setting a precedent for non-episcopal cities which was soon emulated by Dundee and Birmingham.^[45]

"Lord Mayor" and "Right Honourable"

See also: List of lord mayoralties and lord provostships in the United Kingdom

The title Lord Mayor is given to the mayor of a privileged subset of UK cities. In some cases, a lord mayor additionally has the style "Right Honourable". The Mayor of Dublin gained the title "lord" by a charter of 1641,^[46][47] but the Confederate Wars and their aftermath meant the form "Lord Mayor" was not used till 1665.^[47] The style "Right Honourable" was originally a consequence of the Lord Mayor's ex officio membership of the Privy Council of Ireland; it was later explicitly granted by the 1840 Act, and finally abolished by the Local Government Act 2001.^[48] The Lord Mayor of Belfast gained the title in 1892 —based on the precedent of Dundee^[49]— and the style "Right Honourable" in 1923, in recognition of Belfast's status as capital of the newly-created Northern Ireland. The Lord Mayor of Cork gained the title in 1900, to mark Queen Victoria's visit to Ireland;^[50] the style "Right Honourable" has never applied.

Northern Ireland

Main article: City status in the United Kingdom

After Belfast in 1888, no further towns in Northern applied for city status until 1953, when Armagh began to argue for the restoration of the status lost in 1840.^[45] Its justification was that the Archbishop of Armagh was Primate of All Ireland. The council used the appellation "city" unofficially until 1994, when Prince Charles announced the status had been granted to mark the 1550th anniversary of the traditional date of Armagh's foundation by Saint Patrick.^[51]

Lisburn and Ballymena entered a UK-wide competition for city status held to mark the millennium in 2000; neither was selected, being below the unofficial 200,000 population threshold.^[52] Controversy surrounded the decision-making process for the competition, and as a result the rules changed for a 2002 competition for the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II, with Northern Ireland guaranteed one new city.^[53] This encouraged more applicants, with Lisburn and Ballymena being joined by Carrickfergus, Craigavon, Coleraine, and Newry.^[54] Surprisingly, Lisburn and Newry were both successful, prompting allegations of political expediency, since Lisburn is strongly Protestant and Newry strongly Catholic.^[54] Ballymena representatives were aggrieved, and there were claims that Lisburn, as a suburb of Belfast, ought to be ineligible.^[54] Sinn Féin members of Newry and Mourne District Council were opposed to Newry's city status because of the connection to the British monarchy; other councillors welcomed the award.^[55]

Thus the five recognised cities in Northern Ireland are Armagh, Belfast, Derry (commonly, although Londonderry is the name on the city charter), Lisburn, and Newry.^[56] The local government districts named after two of the new cities were granted a corresponding change of name: from "Armagh" to "Armagh City and District",^[57] and from "Lisburn Borough" to "Lisburn City";^[58] just as the older cities have Belfast City Council and Derry City Council. Newry and Mourne district's name does not use the word "city", but the proposed Newry City, Mourne and Down District Council does.

Republic of Ireland

See also: Local government in the Republic of Ireland

The Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 abolished the corporate counties of the city of Kilkenny and the towns of Galway and Drogheda (and Carrickfergus in what would become Northern Ireland). The Act redesignated the other corporate counties as county boroughs. After Partition, four of these were in the Irish Free State, subsequently the Republic of Ireland. Galway was made a fifth county borough in 1985.^[59] The Local Government Act 2001 redesignates the five county boroughs" as cities.^[60] These cities, like the county boroughs before them, are almost identical in power and function to the administrative counties. The five administrative cities are Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford.^[61]

Dublin

The Constitution of Ireland adopted in 1937 prescribes that the Oireachtas must meet, and the President must reside, "in or near the City of Dublin"; the only occurrences of "city" in the Constitution.^[62] In fact Leinster House and Áras an Uachtaráin are within the municipal limits of the city. The formula "in or near the City of Dublin" had occurred in earlier statutes, including Ormonde's Articles of Peace of 1649^[63] and the 1922 Constitution.^[64]

Galway

Galway's status as a city was for long debatable.^[65] Its nickname was "the city of the Tribes", but in British times it was legally a town, and its county corporate was the "county of the town of Galway".^[66] Its 1484 charter grants its Corporation's head the title of Mayor,^[67] but so did the charters of Clonmel and Drogheda,^[68] as well as the charters extinguished in 1840 of Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Wexford, and Youghal,^[69] none of which claimed the title of "city".

Galway was nevertheless intermittently described as a city; John Speed's 1610 map of "Connaugh" includes a plan of "the Citie of Galway".^[70] In The history of the town and county of the town of Galway (1820) James Hardiman generally describes it as a town; however his account of the 1651 map commissioned by Clanricarde concludes that at the time Galway "was universally acknowledged to be the most perfect city in the kingdom".^[71] Robert Wilson Lynd in 1912 referred to "Galway city — technically, it is only Galway town —".^[72] The Local Government (Galway) Act, 1937 describes it as the "Town of Galway" and creates a municipal government called the "Borough of Galway".^[73] On the other hand, the Aran Islands (Transport) Act, 1936 regulates steamships travelling "between the City of Galway and the Aran Islands";^[74] also, legislators debating the passage of the 1937 Act frequently referred to Galway as a "city".^[75][76]

When the borough was made a county borough in 1985, the Borough Council became the "City Council" and it acquired its own "City Manager".^[59] This was not presented as the acquiring of city status; Minister for the Environment Liam Kavanagh said it was "the extension of the Galway City boundary and for upgrading of that city to the status of county borough".^[77]

Kilkenny

The only city in the Republic which was not a county borough was Kilkenny. The original version of the 2001 Act would have reclassified as "towns" all "boroughs" which were not county boroughs, including Kilkenny.^[78] This drew objections from Kilkenny's borough councillors, and from TDs Phil Hogan and John J. McGuinness.^[79] Accordingly, a clause was added to the bill:^[80]

This section is without prejudice to the continued use of the description city in relation to Kilkenny, to the extent that that description was used before the establishment day and is not otherwise inconsistent with this Act.

The Act also states:^[81]

Subject to this Act, royal charters and letters patent relating to local authorities shall continue to apply for ceremonial and related purposes in accordance with local civic tradition but shall otherwise cease to have effect.

Minister of State Tom Kitt explained these provisions as follows:^[82]

New provisions to recognise the term “city” to describe Kilkenny in line with long-established historical and municipal practice were brought in. Kilkenny was reconstituted as a borough corporation under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1840, as were Clonmel, Drogheda and Sligo. Section 2 of the 1840 Act specifically provided that Kilkenny is a borough which is still the current legal position in local government law. Traditionally, however, Kilkenny had been referred to as a city and this has its roots in local usage, deriving from a 17th century charter. It has not been a city in terms of local government law for at least 160 years.
As I have indicated, the Bill as published specifically provides that local charters can continue for ceremonial or related purposes, thereby safeguarding local tradition and practice. There was, therefore, no difficulty in Kilkenny continuing with this long-established tradition. However, Kilkenny Corporation indicated that it was concerned that the existing provisions in the Bill would not maintain the status quo in addition to concerns with the other boroughs that the term “town” was some form of diminution of status. In view of these concerns the Minister [ Noel Dempsey ] indicated that he would include a provision in the Bill to specifically recognise the traditional usage of the term “city” to describe Kilkenny. For the first time ever in the Local Government Act the unique position of Kilkenny is being recognised in local government law.
The Minister honoured in full his commitment on Kilkenny and delivered on what the deputation from Kilkenny sought. It was never intended that Kilkenny would be a city such as Dublin or Cork. All Kilkenny wanted was to be allowed to continue to use the term “city” in recognition of its ancient tradition. The deputation expressed its satisfaction to the Minister on his proposal.

In 2002, Phil Hogan (a Fine Gael TD) asked for "full city status" for Kilkenny;^[83] in 2009 he said "Kilkenny has lost its City status courtesy of Fianna Fáil".^[84]

National Spatial Strategy

Main article: National Spatial Strategy

The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) for 2002–2020 planned to manage urban sprawl by identifying certain urban centres outside Dublin as areas for concentrated growth. The NSS report calls the regional centres "gateways" and the sub-regional centres "hubs".^[85] It does not call them "cities", but among the features it lists for "Gateways" are "City level range of theatres, arts and sports centres and public spaces/parks." and "City-scale water and waste management services."^[86] It also gives a target population for a gateway of over 100,000, including the suburban hinterland.^[86]

The report describes Cork, Limerick/Shannon, Galway and Waterford, as "existing gateways" and identifies four "new national level gateways": Dundalk, Sligo, and two "linked" gateways Letterkenny/(Derry), and Athlone/Tullamore/Mullingar.^[85] The campaigns of Sligo and Dundalk for city status have referenced their status as regional gateways. The "Midlands Gateway", a polycentric zone based on Tullamore, Athlone, and Mullingar, has occasionally been described as constituting a new or future city.^[87][88] A 2008 study by Dublin Institute of Technology concluded that the growth in population of the designated gateways was far less than had been planned.^[89]

Prospective cities

See also: List of towns in the Republic of Ireland by population

Local councillors and TDs from several towns have raised the possibility of gaining city status. Prior to the 2001 Act, these suggestions were a matter of simple prestige. Since the 2001 Act, the suggestions sometimes relate to the administrative functions of county-equivalent cities and sometimes to the ceremonial title. The Minister for the Environment, who is responsible for local government, has not entertained these suggestions,^[90][91] and has said "A modernised legal framework and structures at both regional and local level are now in place ... I have no proposals for amending legislation, which would be necessary to establish new city councils."^[92]

Drogheda

In 2007, the possibility of Drogheda gaining city status was raised in Dáil questions by Michael Noonan^[92] and Fergus O'Dowd.^[90] The Borough Council's draft development plan for 2011–17 does not mention city status,^[93] although the manager's summary of public submissions reported backing for city status for the greater Drogheda area, incorporating adjacent areas in Counties Louth and Meath.^[94]

Dundalk

Dundalk's development plan for 2003–9 stated "Dundalk, in order to fulfil its potential as a regional growth centre, should, in the near future achieve City Status, to acknowledge its present role and to enable its future growth as a regional gateway."^[95] Michael Noonan asked a question in the Dáil in 2007.^[92] Dundalk's draft development plan for 2009–15 seeks to develop the "Newry–Dundalk Twin City Region" with Newry, which is nearby across the border.^[96] The county manager of County Louth made a summary of public submissions on the plan, which predicted Dundalk Institute of Technology being upgraded to university status would help to win city status.^[97]

Sligo

John Perry raised an adjournment debate in 1999 calling for Sligo to be declared a "millennium city", stating:^[98]

While the Government will probably say Sligo can call itself a city, an official declaration by the Government to declare Sligo the millennium city will confer an official status on it. The word 'city' has a certain meaning for investors. ... The requirement for a town to be called a city is that it be a seat of government or a cathedral town. Sligo is sometimes called a town and sometimes a city. This leads to confusion and the region falls between both stools. An official declaration of Sligo as a millennium city would have major significance for the entire area. The word city has a certain meaning for investors. It presumes a certain level of services and a status towards which the world reacts very favourably. The Fitzpatrick report established Sligo as a future growth centre. Even officials of Sligo Corporation are confused because in certain instances Sligo is called a town and in others a city.

Declan Bree, mayor of the town in 2005, advocated "Sligo gaining city status similar to Limerick, Galway and Waterford."^[99] The town council and county council held meetings to plan an expansion of the borough boundaries with a view to enhancing the prospects for such a change.^[99]

Swords

Michael Kennedy, TD for Dublin North, stated in 2007 that "Fingal county council is planning to confer city status on our county town of Swords in the next 15 to 20 years as its population grows to 100,000."^[100]

Tallaght

A campaign to have Tallaght given city status was launched in 2003 by Eamonn Maloney, a local member of South Dublin county council.^[101] It is supported by the Tallaght Area Committee, comprising 10 of the 26 county councillors.^[101] Advantages envisaged by the campaign's website include having a dedicated Industrial Development Authority branch office for attracting investment, and facilitating the upgrade of Institute of Technology, Tallaght to university status.^[102] Charlie O'Connor raised the matter in the Dáil^[91] and said later "The only problem I can see is our close proximity to Dublin".^[101] The head of the local chamber of commerce said in 2010, "If Tallaght was anywhere else in the country, it would have been a city years ago. We already have the population, the hospital and the third-level institution. If we’re missing something, someone needs to tell us, clarify what the criteria is, and we’ll get it."^[101]

List

This list includes places which have at some time had a legally-recognised claim to the title "city". Informally the term may have been applied to other places or at other times.

Current

Dublin, Capital of Ireland

Cork, County Cork

Limerick, County Limerick

Name	Gained status	Method of granting	Jurisdiction granting	Present jurisdiction
Dublin	1172[6]	royal charter[6]	Lordship of Ireland	Republic of Ireland
Cork	1185[103]	royal charter[103]	Lordship of Ireland	Republic of Ireland
Limerick	1199[104]	royal charter[104]	Lordship of Ireland	Republic of Ireland
Waterford	1206[105]	royal charter[105]	Lordship of Ireland	Republic of Ireland
Kilkenny	1383[106]	royal charter[106]	Lordship of Ireland	Republic of Ireland
Derry ("Londonderry")[t 1]	1604[107]	royal charter[107]	Kingdom of Ireland	Northern Ireland
Belfast	1888[45]	letters patent[45]	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland	Northern Ireland
Galway	1985	Act of the Oireachtas	Republic of Ireland	Republic of Ireland
Armagh	1994[51]	letters patent[51]	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	Northern Ireland
Newry	2002[54]	letters patent[54]	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	Northern Ireland
Lisburn	2002[54]	letters patent[54]	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	Northern Ireland

Former

Name	Gained status	Method of granting	Jurisdiction granting	Lost status	Present jurisdiction
Armagh (1st time)	1226 By 1226[51]	prescription[51]	Lordship of Ireland	1840	Northern Ireland
Downpatrick ("Down")[14]	1403 By 1403[14]		Lordship of Ireland	1661 By 1661[14]	Northern Ireland
Clogher[15]			Lordship of Ireland	1801[108]	Northern Ireland
Cashel	1638[109]	royal charter[109]	Kingdom of Ireland	1840	Republic of Ireland

1. ^ See Derry/Londonderry name dispute

References

• Gale, Peter (1834). An inquiry into the ancient corporate system of Ireland. Bentley. http://books.google.com/books?id=3uQSAAAAIAAJ. Retrieved 15 May 2010. 
• Reports of Commissioners on the state of the municipal corporations in Ireland; Parliamentary papers: 1835, Vols. XXVII–XXVIII; 1836, Vol. XXIV.
• The Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland adapted to the new Poor-Law, Franchise, Municipal and Ecclesiastical arrangements ... as existing in 1844–45. Dublin: A. Fullarton & Co. 1846.  Vol. I: A–C, Vol. II: D–M, Vol. III: N–Z
• "Local Government Act, 2001". Irish Statute Book. Attorney General of Ireland. http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2001/en/act/pub/0037/print.html. Retrieved 13 May 2010. 
• (PDF) National Spatial Strategy for Ireland 2002 - 2020. Dublin: The Stationery Office. 2002. http://www.irishspatialstrategy.ie/pdfs/Completea.pdf. 
• Beckett, John V. (2005). City status in the British Isles, 1830–2002. Historical urban studies. Aldershot: Ashgate. ISBN 0754650677. 

Notes

1. ^ "city". Focal. http://www.focal.ie/AdvSearch.aspx?wording=city&extent=complete&length=both&lang=1&posL2=5&posLX=5&domain=0&collection=0. Retrieved 16 May 2010. 
2. ^ "town". Focal. http://www.focal.ie/AdvSearch.aspx?wording=town&extent=complete&length=both&lang=1&posL2=0&posLX=5&domain=0&collection=0. Retrieved 16 May 2010. 
3. ^ "baile". Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language. Royal Irish Academy. http://www.dil.ie/results-list.asp?mode=ADV&searchText=%20baile&HIGH=%20baile&respage=0&resperpage=1&Fuzzy=0&bhcp=1. Retrieved 17 May 2010. 
4. ^ "cathair". Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language. Royal Irish Academy. http://www.dil.ie/results-list.asp?mode=ADV&searchText=%20cathair&HIGH=%20cathair&respage=0&resperpage=1&Fuzzy=0&bhcp=1. Retrieved 17 May 2010. 
5. ^ "Dublin, the history of the placename" (in Irish and English) (PDF). The Placenames Branch. p. 6. http://www.logainm.ie/Eolas/Data/Brainse/Dublin.pdf. Retrieved 16 May 2010. "The element baile, 'town', was prefixed to the name some time in the 15th century" 
6. ^ ^{a b c} 1835 Rep Comm Mun Corp Irl Vol 9 Pt 1 p.2
7. ^ Ó Cearúil, Micheál; Ó Murchú, Máirtín (1999) (PDF). Bunreacht na hÉireann: A study of the Irish text. for the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution. Dublin: Stationery Office. pp. 172–3, 225–6. ISBN 0-7076-6400-4. http://www.constitution.ie/publications/irish-text.pdf. 
8. ^ ^{a b c d} Galinié, Henri (2000). "Civitas, City". In Vauchez, André; Dobson, Richard Barrie; Lapidge, Michael. Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages. Routledge. p. 313. ISBN 9781579582821. http://books.google.com/books?id=qtgotOF0MKQC&pg=PA313. Retrieved 17 May 2010. 
9. ^ Blackstone, William (1765). "Introduction §4: Of the Countries subject to the Laws of England". Commentaries on the Laws of England. 1. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 111. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/30802/30802-h/30802-h.htm#Page_111. Retrieved 17 May 2010. 
10. ^ ^{a b} Coke, Edward; Hale, Matthew; Nottingham, Heneage Finch, Earl of; Francis Hargrave, Charles Butler (1853). "109b". A commentary upon Littleton. The Institutes of the laws of England. 1 (1st American, from 19th London ed.). Philadelphia: R. H. Small. Vol. 1 pp.163–5. http://books.google.com/books?id=GOgKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA163. Retrieved 17 May 2010. 
11. ^ Gale 1834, Appendix p.cclii
12. ^ ^{a b} Rep Comm Mun Corp Irl p.671–2 "City of Armagh" §10
13. ^ ^{a b} Rep Comm Mun Corp Irl p.432 "Borough of Tuam" §13
14. ^ ^{a b c d e} 1835 Rep Comm Mun Corp Irl p.797
15. ^ ^{a b} O'Sullivan, William (1996). "Two Clogher Constitutions". Clogher Record (Clogher Historical Society) 15 (3): 145–155. JSTOR 27699403. 
16. ^ Erck, John Caillard (1827). The ecclesiastical register: containing the names of the dignitaries and parochial clergy of Ireland : as also of the parishes and their respective patrons and an account of monies granted for building churches and glebe-houses with ecclesiastical annals annexed to each diocese and appendixes : containing among other things several cases of quare impedit. R. Milliken and Son. p. 128. http://books.google.com/books?id=mXcrAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA128. Retrieved 14 May 2010. 
17. ^ 13 & 14 George III c.40 and 31 George III c.46
18. ^ 21 Geo. II c.10 s.8
19. ^ ^{a b} Rept Comm Mun Corp Irl pp.19–20
20. ^ Malcomson, A. P. W. (March 1973). "The Newtown Act of 1748: Revision and Reconstruction". Irish Historical Studies (Irish Historical Studies Publications) 18 (71): 313–344. JSTOR 30005420. 
21. ^ Gale 1834, Appendix 27: Translation from enrolment in Chancery of the charter to the town of Wexford by James the First; pp.83–4
22. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.1 p.519 "Cork" "A sea-port, a parliamentary borough, a city, the assize-town of the county of Cork, the capital of Munster, and the second town of Ireland"
23. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.2 p.108 "Dublin" "The metropolis of Ireland, the second city of the British empire, and the seventh city of Europe"
24. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.2 p.431 "Kilkenny" "A post and market town, a municipal and parliamentary borough, a city, the capital of the county of Kilkenny, and the seat of the diocese of Ossory"
25. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.2 p.632 "Limerick" "A post, market, and sea-port town and borough, a city, and the capital of Western Munster"
26. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.2 p.672 "Londonderry" "A post, market, and sea-port town, a borough, a city, the county town of Londonderry, and the capital of the extreme north of Ulster"
27. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.3 p.488 "Waterford" "A post and market town, a sea-port, a borough, a city, and the capital of the county of Waterford"
28. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.1 p.78 "Armagh"
29. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.1 p.342 "Cashel" "A post and market town, a borough, an episcopal city, and the ecclesiastical metropolis of the southern province of Ireland"
30. ^ ^{a b} 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.1 p.418 "Clogher" "An ancient episcopal city and incorporated town, but at present a mere village"
31. ^ ^{a b} 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.1 p.470 "Cloyne" "A market and post town, and an ancient Episcopal city"
32. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.1 p.56 "Ardfert" "This ancient and once important city is now a poor and declining village"
33. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.2 p.176 "Emly" "Though now a mere village, it is noticed by some ancient historians as in their day a large and flourishing city."
34. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.1 p.493 "Connor" "the farce of nominal city character"
35. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.2 p.77 "Dromore" "Though nominally a city, it is really but a small and common-place market-town."
36. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.2 p.409
37. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.2 p.174
38. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.2 p.60
39. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.3 p.398 "Tuam" "The Clare and the Dunmore sections contain the city of Tuam"
40. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.2 p.552 "Kincora" "1 mile north-northwest of the city of Killaloe"
41. ^ 1846 Parl Gaz Irl Vol.3 p.251 "Slieve Bernagh" "it soars gradually up in the western vicinity of the city of Killaloe"
42. ^ Beckett 2005, p.44
43. ^ Beckett 2005, p.45
44. ^ Parliamentary Debates, HC, 15 July 1887.
45. ^ ^{a b c d} Beckett 2005, pp.45-50
46. ^ 1835 Rep Comm Mun Corp Irl Vol 9 Pt 1 p.5
47. ^ ^{a b} "History of the Lord Mayor's Office". Dublin City Council. http://www.dublincity.ie/YOURCOUNCIL/LORDMAYORDUBLIN/HISTORYOFLORDMAYOR/Pages/HistoryLordMayorsOffice.aspx. Retrieved 22 May 2010. 
48. ^ Local Government Act 2001 §32(3)b
49. ^ Beckett 2005 p.67
50. ^ Beckett 2005 p.68
51. ^ ^{a b c d e} Beckett 2005, p.134
52. ^ Beckett 2005, pp.141-163
53. ^ Beckett 2005,p.153
54. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Beckett 2005, p.175
55. ^ "D.D.84./2002 - CITY STATUS". Minutes of District Development Committee Meeting. Newry and Mourne Distrcit Council. 19 March 2002. pp. 4–7. http://www.newryandmourne.gov.uk/general_council/pdf/19%20March%202002.pdf. Retrieved 23 May 2010. 
56. ^ Beckett 2005, p.185
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59. ^ ^{a b} Local Government (Reorganisation) Act, 1985 Irish Statute Book
60. ^ Local Government Act, 2001 §10(4)(b)
61. ^ Local Government Act, 2001; Schedule 5, Part 2
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63. ^ Historical Collections of Private Passages of State, Weighty Matters in Law Part 4 Vol 1 p.415 John Rushworth, London, 1701
64. ^ Constitution of the Irish Free State (Saorstát Eireann) Act, 1922 Irish Statute Book
65. ^ Beckett 2005, p.16
66. ^ Parl Gazz Irl 1846 Vol.2 p.237
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68. ^ Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840, Schedule A
69. ^ Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840, Schedule B
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72. ^ Lynd, Robert (1912). Rambles in Ireland. D. Estes & company. p. 14. 
73. ^ Local Government (Galway) Act, 1937 Irish Statute Book
74. ^ Aran Islands (Transport) Act, 1936 §2 Contracts for steamer service to the Aran Islands. Irish Statute Book
75. ^ Seanad debates Vol.16 cc.1773–83
76. ^ Dáil debates Vol.68 cc.109–112
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78. ^ Local Government Bill, 2000 As initiated Oireachtas
79. ^ Local Government Bill, 2000: Second Stage (Resumed). Dáil Éireann - Volume 538 - 13 June 2001
80. ^ Local Government Act, 2001 §10(7)
81. ^ Local Government Act, 2001 §11(16)
82. ^ Local Government Bill, 2000: Committee Stage. Seanad Éireann - Volume 167 - 11 July 2001
83. ^ Written Answers. - City Status. Dáil Éireann - Volume 550 - 20 March 2002
84. ^ Keane, Sean (24 July 2009). "Jobs, funding under threat as Bord Snip gets set to slash". Kilkenny People. http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/Jobs-funding-under-threat-as.5480013.jp. Retrieved 15 May 2010. 
85. ^ ^{a b} NSS 2002, p.38
86. ^ ^{a b} NSS 2002, p.40
87. ^ "New Athlone retail complex to tap into Midlands' new wealth". Irish Independent (Dublin). 22 June 2005. http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/property/new-athlone-retail-complex-to-tap-into-midlands-new-wealth-255656.html. Retrieved 19 May 2010. "the government's National Spatial Strategy [creates] a major city by linking the towns of Athlone, Mullingar and Tullamore." 
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90. ^ ^{a b} Written Answers. - City Status. Dáil Éireann - Volume 636 - 24 April 2007
91. ^ ^{a b} Written Answers. - Local Government Reform. Dáil Éireann - Volume 638 - 26 September 2007
92. ^ ^{a b c} Written Answers. - City Status. Dáil Éireann - Volume 635 - 05 April, 2007
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97. ^ (PDF) Managers Report prepared under Section 11 (4) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in relation to submissions received.. Dundalk Town Council. August 2008. pp. 7 Theme 1 : Economic Strategy b) Achieving City Status:. http://www.louthcoco.ie/en/Publications/Development-Plans/Dundalk_Town_Council/Draft_Development_Plan_2009-2015/Manager%27s-Report-in-Relation-to-submissions.pdf#page=11. Retrieved 19 May 2010. 
98. ^ Adjournment Debate. - City Status for Sligo. Dáil Éireann - Volume 510 - 09 November, 1999
99. ^ ^{a b} Bree, Declan (28 June 2005). "Sligo seeks to push out towards city status". Sligo Weekender. http://archives.tcm.ie/sligoweekender/2005/06/28/story23635.asp. Retrieved 15 May 2010. 
100. ^ Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). Dáil Éireann - Volume 641 - 14 November 2007
101. ^ ^{a b c d} McInerney, Sarah (14 March 2010). "Tallaght relaunches fight for city status". The Sunday Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article7061084.ece?print=yes&randnum=1151003209000. Retrieved 15 May 2010. 
102. ^ "About The Campaign". Tallaght City Campaign. http://www.tallaghtcitycampaign.com/about-the-campaign.html. Retrieved 21 May 2010. 
103. ^ ^{a b} Charters Cork City Council
104. ^ ^{a b} Patrick Fitzgerald, John James McGregor; The history, topography and antiquities, of the county and city of Limerick Vol 2 App p.iii
105. ^ ^{a b} Charles Smith, The ancient and present state of the county and city of Waterford p.106
106. ^ ^{a b} 1835 Rep Comm Mun Corp Irl p.534
107. ^ ^{a b} City commemorates the 400th Anniversary of the City’s first charter as illustrated by the Life and Times of Sir Henry Docwra Derry City Council 2004
108. ^ 1835 Rep Comm Mun Corp Irl p.997
109. ^ ^{a b} 1835 Rep Comm Mun Corp Irl p.462