The forerunner of the present day Cork City Council was Cork Corporation which was of ancient origin. The first Charter was granted in 1185. Various other charters were to follow over the centuries, granting and establishing numerous rights, privileges and responsibilities to the citizens of Cork City, which was established in the 1600’s as a County in its own right, called ‘The County of the City of Cork’. It was reformed in c.1840, 1853 and in 1899. In 1924 the city council of Cork Corporation was dissolved and its powers and duties transferred to Mr. Philip Monahan, who was appointed City Commissioner, taking office on 31st October, 1924, continuing to administer civic affairs until 1929 when the Corporation was reestablished and Monahan became the first City Manager. Under the Local Government Act 2001, Cork Corporation was renamed Cork City Council.
The City Council has been awarding Honorary Freedom of the City for hundreds of years to distinguished members of society. The original honorary freemen rolls prior to 1891 and 1920 were destroyed the fires in the Courthouse and City Hall respectively.
Archival History ↴
Transferred to Archives in 2012.
Immediate Source Acquisition ↴
Official Transfer
Content & Structure
Scope & Content: Cork City Council ↴
Register of Honorary Burgesses of Cork City/ Cork County Borough. Register of all 36 people admitted as honorary freemen of Cork city from 16 July 1930 up to the present day (2011). Gives number, date of enrollment, name, title and qualification, signature, signature of Lord Mayor and signature of City Manager. Qualifications are listed in Irish, English or both languages. Also, outline list of those admitted from 1887-1922, noting that the original rolls prior to 1891 and 1920 were destroyed the fires in the Courthouse and City Hall respectively. Those admitted include prominent individuals in the civic, political, literary, religious, charitable, artistic, and sporting spheres, both local, national and international, including as President John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
Appraisal Destruction ↴
Permanent Retention
Arrangement ↴
One item only – no arrangement applicable
Conditions of Access & Use
Access Conditions
Open by appointment to those holding a current reader's ticket.
Conditions Governing Reproduction
Subject to rules governing reproduction of records of CCCA.
