Limerick is one of the oldest and most historic cities in Ireland and was one of the first in Ireland or Britain to have a mayor and a local government system.

Indeed, Limerick received its first charter establishing local government in the city on December 18, 1197, so Limerick Corporation now known as Limerick City Council, will be 810 years in existence in two weeks time.

Last week Matthew Potter launched First Citizens of the Treaty City - The Mayors and Mayoralty of Limerick 1197-2007, the product of three years of exhaustive research by the author.

In a convivial gathering of councillors,led by Mayor Ger Fahy and the city manager, Tom Mackey, gave a warm welcome to Minister John Gormley, who officially launched the book.

It follows on from last year's publication, The Government and the People of Limerick: The History of Limerick Corporation/City Council 1197-2006, which was the first complete account of the government of an Irish urban area ever written.

Now its successor, First Citizens of the Treaty City, represents the first account of the mayors of Limerick and consists of two parts - a history of the mayoralty from the Middle Ages until the present day, and an account of each incumbent since 1842.

First Citizens, he recognises, is more of an easy read than its predecessor. Tragic events such as the murder of Mayors O'Callaghan and Clancy in 1921 are discussed, but more lighthearted material, such as the connection of the three O'Mara mayors of Limerick to the Von Trapp family, of Sound of Music fame, makes the heavy material easier to digest.

As a young boy, Matthew Potter had no idea of what he wanted to be when he grew up. Yet all around him, in Donegal town, were clues to what his future would hold.

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Matthew Potter

Dotted around his hometown were castles, fortresses and ruins - all remnants of Ireland's Viking past.

Donegal most famously produced Hugh O'Donnell and soon historian and academic Potter could turn his back on the Treaty city and focus on where it all began.

His late father John, who originally hails from Clarina in Limerick, inspired his passion in history.

When questioned on the most important mayor in Limerick's 800 year history? he said:

"They all made their contributions in different ways, some of them were extraordinary figures, Maurice Lenihan was probably one of the most extraordinary mayors.

He was a very interesting character, because he came from Waterford and wrote his most fantastic book on the history of Limerick.