Town commissioners were elected local government bodies established in urban areas in Ireland in the 19th century. Larger towns with commissioners were converted to urban districts by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, with the smaller commissions continuing to exist beyond partition in 1922.
The last town commissioners in Northern Ireland were abolished in 1962, while in the Republic of Ireland the remaining commissions were renamed as town councils in 2002.
Town commissioners also exist in other jurisdictions, such as the Isle of Man, and parts of the United States.
Read more about Town Commissioners: Lighting of Towns Act, 1828, Municipal Reform 1840, Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act 1854, Townships Established By Local Acts, Changes in The 1870s, Changes in 1899 - 1901, Town Commissioners in Northern Ireland, Town Commissioners in Independent Ireland, Sources
Famous quotes containing the word town:
“Although then a printer by trade, he listed himself in this early directory as an antiquarian. When he was asked the reason for this he replied that he always thought every town should have at least one antiquarian, and since none appeared for the post, he volunteered.”
—For the State of Iowa, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)