Cllr Michael D’Arcy, Chairman, turning the key on 155 years of history following the final meeting of Gorey Town Council tonight.

155 years of history came to an end tonight when Cllr. Michael D’Arcy put out the lights and turned the key in the Market House door for the final time after the last meeting of Gorey Town Council.

Members, past and present, had lamented the abolition of the local authority and strongly outlined the contribution that the Council (and before that the Commissioners) had made on behalf of the people of Gorey.

Cllr D’Arcy, who retired from politics after 56 years of public service, said; “The Town Council has been first port of call for local people when they have had a problem or difficulty, but also when they saw an opportunity or idea to be developed.”

County Manager, Tom Enright, in a letter read at the meeting, acknowledged “the very important contribution made to the town by present and past staff of the Town Council.

Speaking on behalf of the townspeople, the Town Historian, Michael Fitzpatrick, in a letter read by Town Clerk, Amanda Byrne, said:

“Gorey of 2014 is a much different town from the small close knit community of my youth. This transformation is far beyond description, geographically, historically and socially.

More than ever, I feel we need our Town Council as a hands-on approach body of locals who have been part and parcel of what we were and what we are today.”

Gorey Town Commissioners were formed in 1859 “to improve the living standards and development of Gorey.”

Extensive reporting on this historical occasion in THE GOREY ECHO this week.