Yesterday marked a truly special occasion as Donegal County Council hosted a special Civic Reception in honour of the Blaney family’s 100th year of representation on it.
Council Cathaoirleach and fellow Fianna Fail politician Cllr Paul Canning presented current Councillor Liam Blaney and Senator Niall Blaney with a special plaque commemorating the remarkable achievement.
The County House in Lifford was packed as family, friends and other members of the Donegal political scene gathered to celebrate the Blaney dynasty.
When Donegal County Council was first founded in 1925, Neal Blaney was elected onto it – followed by his son Neil T Blaney in 1948.
Harry Blaney was then co-opted onto the Council in 1957 when his brother Neil T was named as a Government Minister.
The dynasty then reached its third generation when his son Niall was named as a Councillor himself in 1999.
When Niall departed his Council post to become a TD in 2002, his brother Liam picked up the mantle and has remained a Councillor ever since.
Cathaoirleach Canning congratulated the Blaney family on their remarkable achievement yesterday.
“Congratulations to the Blaney family for breaking this extraordinary record of 100 continuous years on Donegal County Council,” he said.
“Their dedication to Donegal and its people has been second to none. That (100 years) is not just a statistic, but a legacy to the Fanad area that they served and continue to serve.”
Images of yesterday’s civic reception below are with thanks to Clive Wasson Photography.
The extended Blaney Family at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Joe Stubbs, Cathy Stubbs and bArney Boyce at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Saorla, Cliodhna Robinson and Trica Blaney at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
John McClonagley, Paddy Martin Noah Bradley, Sean Bradly and Kevin Houston at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Cllr. Bernard Moynihan, Cork County Council and Cllr. Liam Blaney at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Hugh McDaid, Marie McDaid, Frerd McGee and Margaret Sweeney at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Noelle Blaney, Teresa Coyle, Nora O’Dee and Margaret Blaney at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Tricia Blaney, Catherine Blaney Boyce, Cliodhna Robinson, Saorla Robinson and Martin Robinson at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
James O’Donnell and Kathleen O’Donnell at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Juilette McGee, Aisling McGee, Sylvia McGee and Paulianna McGee at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Cllr. Paul Canning, Cathaoirleach Donegal County Council, Margaret, O’Neill, Bridin Blaney, Pauline Blaney and May Blaney at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Margaret Blaney with Liam Blaney and Niall Blaney at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Cllr Paul Canning, Cathaoirleach Donegal County Council at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
John Mclaughlin CE Donegal County Council at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Cllr Donal Coyle at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Cathaloirleach Paul Canning presenting the scroll to Cllr. Liam Blaney and Senator Niall Blaney at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Cathaoirleach Paul Canning and CE John McLaughlin Presenting a Commerative Gift to Cllr. Liam Blaney and Seantor Niall Blaney at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Mrs. Margret Blaney receving a presentation of flowers from Cathaoirleach Paul Canning And CE , John McLaughlin with Cll.r Liam Blaney and Senator NiallBlancey at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Cllr. Liam Blaney speakingn at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Seantor Niall Blaney speaking at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Cllr Liam Blaney, Charlie McConalogue, TD Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and Senator Niall Blaney at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
John Dorrian, Paddy Martin, Cllr. Liam blaney, Cllr. Donal Coyle, Senator Niall Blaney, Charlie McConalogue, TD, Margaret Dorrian and John McConigle at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
Senator Niall Blaney, Margaret Blaney and Cllr. Liam Blaney with guests at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford. where the Blaney Family was recognised for their achievement in honour of 100 years of continuous political representation on Donegal County Council, following the election of Neal Blaney to Donegal County Council in 1925 and subsequent elections to the council of family members Neil T. Blaney, Harry Blaney, Niall Blaney and Liam Blaney over the century that followed. Photo Clive Wasson
