As part of a tradition stretching back more than 25 years, Cork City Lord Mayor Mary Shields has taken delivery of a new Ford Mondeo registration number 151-C-1.

Ciaran McMahon, newly appointed Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland said: "Ford is delighted to continue the tradition of providing the Lord Mayoral car.  With its distinctive numberplate - always the first car to be registered each year in Cork - the Lord Mayor's car has become a common sight on the highways and byways of Cork City and County.  And, with its sleek new look, the all new 2015 model Mondeo will be even more eye-catching".

Lord Mayor Mary Shields said: "Given Ford's historic links with Cork - in 2017 we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Henry Ford & Son Limited in Cork - it is only fitting that the Lord Mayor should be conveyed in a Ford vehicle.  This new Mondeo is a great car and it is an ideal vehicle with which to carry out the many and varied tasks I have to perform as Cork's first citizen. I think that famous grand-son of Cork, Henry Ford, would greatly approve."

"I would like to thank Ford Ireland for their continuing support for the Office of Lord Mayor through the provision of a car for the year."

The Lord Mayor's car is a Mondeo Titanium 2.0 litre TDCi diesel model.