Lord Mayor

Lord Mayor

Councillor Ryan Murphy was installed as Lord Mayor of Belfast on 5 June 2023.

Councillor Murphy represents the Oldpark electoral area of Belfast. 

Duties and responsibilities

As Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Murphy has these duties and responsibilities:

• presiding over council meetings and, in the case of equality of votes, he has a second or casting vote
• promoting and raising awareness of the council’s main objectives and priority issues
• encouraging and supporting all aspects of life in Belfast by attending civic and public events
• receiving distinguished visitors to the city
• acting as host on behalf of the council and the citizens of Belfast at civic functions
• acting as a spokesperson to the local, national and international media
• providing an appropriate response on behalf of Belfast at times of local, national and international catastrophe
• supporting and encouraging charitable and other appeals as appropriate
• promoting Belfast's business, commercial, cultural and social life
• promoting Belfast as a place of excellence in which to do business and as a tourist destination.

Addressing the Lord Mayor

If you are speaking in public and would like to welcome or introduce the Lord Mayor, the usual form of address is simply 'Lord Mayor'. For example, "and so, I'd like to welcome Councillor Ryan Murphy, Lord Mayor of Belfast."

If you are speaking to the Lord Mayor in conversation, the correct title remains 'Lord Mayor.'

If you would like to write to the Lord Mayor, you should address your letter to 'the Right Honourable, the Lord Mayor, Councillor Ryan Murphy.' You can also abbreviate this to 'Rt Hon, the Lord Mayor, Councillor Ryan Murphy.' You should also begin your letter with 'Dear Lord Mayor.

Inviting the Lord Mayor to attend an event

All requests for the Lord Mayor to officially attend an event or a meeting should be submitted through our online engagement request form.

You should provide as much information as possible on your event and organisation to allow us to process your request. 

On submission of the form, you will receive an automated email acknowledging receipt of your engagement enquiry.

Submission of the engagement request form does not constitute confirmation of a civic dignitary’s attendance at your event. We will inform you of the outcome of your engagement request within five working days from the date of your enquiry submission.

Invite the Lord Mayor