Sir Crawford McCullagh was the longest serving Lord Mayor in the United Kingdom – serving a total of 17 years.
He was born on 14th December1868 at Annaghdroghal on the shores of Lough Neagh, but when he was aged 3, the family moved to “Fortlands” on Old Church Lane.
He was educated at Ballinderry National School. Then, in 1882, aged14, he began his apprenticeship in the drapery trade in Belfast, selling newspapers outside the Great Northern Railway station to augment his income.
In 1887 he became Assistant Manager at the Bank Buildings and he opened his first shop in High Street in 1894. He went on to become the director of several businesses, including Maguire and Patterson (Vespa matches), and the Classic Cinema at Castle Place, as well as owning McCullagh and Co., a silk mercers, milliners, and fancy drapery store.
He was soon elected to Belfast Corporation for the Irish Unionist Party and in 1911, served as High Sheriff of Belfast.
McCullagh served his first term as Lord Mayor of Belfast from 1914-1917. He guided Belfast through the 1st World War and initiated a 5-minute silence in remembrance of the fallen at the Somme. He also helped to create the commercial centre of Belfast. Many of the familiar landmarks such as Bellevue Zoo, the Floral Hall and Castle Place were the result of his foresight.
McCullagh was knighted on 19 May 1915, and created a baronet on 1 July 1935.
In 1921 he was elected MP for Belfast South for the Ulster Unionist Party; but lost his seat in 1925.
From 1931 until 1942, McCullagh was again Lord Mayor of Belfast, which now entitled him to a seat in the Senate of Northern Ireland. He was Deputy Speaker from 1939 to 1941. In 1941, he was appointed to the Privy Council of Northern Ireland.
From 1943 until 1946, he served a final term as Lord Mayor – making a total of seventeen years. He had consequently guided Belfast through both World Wars.
A large stained glass window depicting Sir Crawford McCullagh dominates the main staircase in Belfast City Hall. He died at Lismarra, Whitehouse, on 18th April 1948, aged 79.
