The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council is an honorary position bestowed upon a Citizen of Derry City & Strabane District in Northern Ireland, who is in practice a member of Derry and Strabane District Council, chosen by their peers on the council to serve a one-year term.
A provost, Sir Henry Docwra, was appointed in the initial city charter of 1604 by James I.
In 1613, this post was replaced with that of governor, or mayor, with John Rowley being the first to serve.
[3]During much of its history, it has been held by unionists (largely due to the practice of gerrymandering),[4] but in recent years, the majority of mayors have been Irish nationalists, reflecting the majority of the city's population.
From 1921 until 1969, the Lord Mayor was automatically entitled to a seat in the Senate of Northern Ireland.