Tributes paid to former lord mayor of Belfast Ian Adamson
Tributes have been paid to former Lord Mayor of Belfast Ian Adamson who has died at the age of 74.
Dr Adamson worked as a medical doctor before entering elected politics in the 1980s as a member of the Ulster Unionist Party.
He served as lord mayor of Belfast in 1996/7, high sheriff in 2011 and was an Assembly member for the constituency of East Belfast from 1998 to 2003.
Dr Adamson was also known for his passion for culture and languages.
He founded the Ulster-Scots Language Society in 1992 and also spoke a number of other languages, including Irish.
Former Ulster Unionist MLA and Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson died this morning. Mr Adamson who would be 75 in July is survived by his wife Kerry Carson whom he married 21 years ago. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar anam Iain. Eamonn. pic.twitter.com/LC1z5o5Nyo
— Eamonn Mallie (@EamonnMallie) January 9, 2019
Tributes have been paid to Dr Adamson from politicians across Northern Ireland’s political spectrum, including the current Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey, Democratic Unionist Assembly member Peter Weir, Sinn Fein Assembly member Mairtin O Muilleoir and Alliance Party leader Naomi Long.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Robin Swann said Dr Adamson made a “huge contribution to cultural and political life”.
“In addition to his political career he was a medical doctor and had a keen interest and provided a wealth of knowledge in the field of history, particularly local history and Ulster Scots, and was the author of numerous books and papers,” he said.
“He made a huge contribution to cultural and political life and will be greatly missed by his many colleagues and friends.”
Brón ar an bhás. Saddened to hear of passing of polymath, physician, politician & consummate performer Ian Adamson. R.I.P. Made extraordinary contribution to Belfast as Lord Mayor (96-97), author, Ulster-Scots ambassador & bridge-builder. Ar dheis láimh Dé go raibh sé. https://t.co/DQYK9t6cxS
— Máirtín Ó Muilleoir (@newbelfast) January 9, 2019
Ulster Unionist Party chairman Lord Empey added: “Ian had a great sense of humour and dry wit.
“His flair for cultural issues particularly as they applied to the Ulster Scots tradition, were brought to life with his lectures and anecdotes.
Sorry to hear Ian Adamson, former Belfast City Councillor for Victoria Ward, Lord Mayor, High Sheriff and MLA has passed away today.
Thoughts with Kerry and the wider Adamson family and with Ian's @uuponline colleagues and friends at this very sad time.https://t.co/nyjJfr8LDt
— Naomi Long MLA (@naomi_long) January 9, 2019
“Those of us who were colleagues in the City Hall will miss him greatly.”
