Chain of Office

Chain of office

The current chain of office, worn by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, dates from 1874 when it was purchased and presented to then Mayor James Alexander Henderson.

His son, Sir James Henderson, also wore it during his term as Lord Mayor in 1898.

The medallion displays the Belfast coats of arms and the motto is surrounded by symbols representing the four provinces of Ireland - a hand representing Ulster, a round tower for Munster, a harp for Leinster and a wolfhound for Connaught. 

The links on the chain are made up of the arms of mayors and lord mayors from 1842 to 1928. The total weight of the chain is one stone.

There is also a separate Donegall Chain of Office which is less ornate and is rarely used by the Lord Mayor.