A special Civic Reception was held yesterday by Donegal County Council to celebrate the Blaney family’s remarkable 100 years of representation on the council.
Cllr Paul Canning, Council Cathaoirleach and fellow Fianna Fail member, presented a commemorative plaque to Councillor Liam Blaney and Senator Niall Blaney, honouring their family’s century of service.
The County House in Lifford was filled with family, friends, and fellow members of the Donegal political community, all gathered to celebrate the Blaney dynasty.
The Blaney family’s involvement began with Neal Blaney’s election to the newly formed Donegal County Council in 1925. His son, Neil T Blaney, followed in his footsteps in 1948.
In 1957, Harry Blaney was co-opted onto the Council when his brother, Neil T, was appointed as a Government Minister.
The third generation of Blaney representation began in 1999, with Niall Blaney’s appointment as a Councillor.
When Niall Blaney became a TD in 2002, his brother Liam took over his Council seat and has served as a Councillor ever since.
Cathaoirleach Canning lauded the Blaney family’s exceptional achievement during the reception.
“Congratulations to the Blaney family for reaching this extraordinary milestone of 100 continuous years on Donegal County Council,” he stated.
“Their dedication to Donegal and its people has been unmatched. This century of service is not just a number, but a testament to their legacy in the Fanad area, which they have served and continue to serve.”
Below are images from yesterday’s civic reception, courtesy of 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
Blaney family celebrates 100 years as Donegal political dynasty – Pic Special was last modified: July 5th, 2025 by
