Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Eileen Desmond

Eileen Desmond

 

Eileen Desmond (née Harrington; 29 December 1932 – 6 January 2005) was an Irish Labour Party politician. She served in the Dáil, the Seanad and the European Parliament, and was Minister for Health and Minister for Social Welfare from 1981 to 1982.

 

Eileen Harrington was born in Kinsale, County Cork, and educated locally at the Convent of Mercy in Kinsale, where she was one of only two girls in her class to sit the Leaving Certificate examination. Before entering politics she worked as a civil servant with the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.

Desmond was first elected to Dáil Éireann in a by-election on 10 March 1965, caused by the death of her husband, Dan Desmond, who had been a Teachta Dála (TD) since 1948. Her Cork Mid by-election victory caused Taoiseach Seán Lemass to dissolve the 17th Dáil and call a general election. She was re-elected for the second time in a year, but lost her seat at the 1969 general election. However, Desmond was elected to the 12th Seanad on the Industrial and Commercial Panel, where she served until her re-election to the 20th Dáil at the 1973 general election.

She was elected to the European Parliament at the 1979 European Parliament election for the Munster constituency. However, her time in Europe was short-lived as she returned to domestic politics when she was offered a position as Minister and the chance to impact upon national legislation. At the 1981 general election, a Fine Gael–Labour Party coalition came to power and Desmond was appointed Minister for Health and Social Welfare.

Her cabinet appointment was historic, as she was only the second woman to be a member of the cabinet since the foundation of the state in 1922. Countess Markievicz had had held the cabinet post of Minister for Labour in the revolutionary First Dáil in 1919, but no other woman had held been appointed to the cabinet until Máire Geoghegan-Quinn was appointed as Minister for the Gaeltacht in 1979.

Desmond retired from full time politics at the 1987 general election for health reasons. She died suddenly in 2005.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - John Donnellan

John F. Donnellan (born 27 March 1937) is a former Irish politician and sportsperson. He served as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) for twenty-five years. He played Gaelic football with his local club Dunmore McHales and with the Galway senior inter-county team in the 1960s.

John Donnellan was born in Dunmore, County Galway in 1937. He was born into a family that had strong interests in both Gaelic games and Irish politics. His father, Michael Donnellan, had won an All-Ireland medal with Galway in 1925 before later becoming a Teachta Dála for the Clann na Talmhan political party. In later years John Donnellan would follow in his father's footsteps in both of these pursuits. John's son, Michael, would also go on to play football for Galway, winning All-Ireland medals in 1998 and 2001.

Donnellan played his club football with the Dunmore McHales club in the north of County Galway. He enjoyed much success with the club, beginning in 1961 when he won a senior county championship for the first time. In 1962 Donnellan won a county league medal before claiming a second county championship title in 1963. This last win was later converted into a Connacht club football championship. In 1966 Donnellan's club completed the double of county league and county championship victories. He completed a great run of success by capturing back-to-back county championship and Connacht club titles in 1968 and 1969.

Donnellan's career as an inter-county footballer began in the late 1950s. He won an All-Ireland title with the Galway junior team in 1958 and he quickly joined the senior side. Two years later in 1960 Donnellan won his first Connacht title, however, Galway were later defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final. Three years later in 1963 he captured a second provincial title, however, on this occasion Dublin defeated the men from the west in the All-Ireland final. In 1964 Donnellan was appointed captain of the Galway team. That year he won a third Connacht title before leading his team out in the All-Ireland final against Kerry. Galway were victorious on that day by five points and Donnellan captured his first All-Ireland medal. His moment of triumph was short-lived as, shortly after hoisting the Sam Maguire Cup, he learnt that his father, Michael Donnellan, had died in the Hogan Stand shortly before the start of the second-half.

In 1965 Donnellan added a fourth provincial medal to his collection. In the subsequent All-Ireland final against Kerry he was sent off but Galway were still victorious giving Donnellan a second consecutive All-Ireland medal. The following year he won a fifth Connacht Championship title before qualifying for a fourth All-Ireland final appearance in-a-row. Galway had a six-point win over Meath giving Donnellan a third All-Ireland medal in-a-row and cementing that Galway team as one of the greatest of all-time. In 1967 he won a Railway Cup medal with Connacht before winning a sixth and final provincial medal in 1968. Donnellan retired from inter-county football shortly after.

Donnellan's father, Michael, died suddenly in September 1964, and at the resulting by-election in December John was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD for the Galway East constituency.

From 1982 to 1987 Donellan was served as a Minister of State, first at the Departments of Transport and Posts and Telegraphs, and then at the Department of Health. He retired from politics at the 1989 general election, after contesting eight general elections for various constituencies in County Galway.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Joan Burke

Joan T. Burke (née Crowley; born 8 February 1928) is a retired Irish Fine Gael politician, farmer and nurse. She was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) for the Roscommon constituency at the July 1964 by-election caused by the death of her husband James Burke. She was re-elected at each subsequent general election until she retired from politics at the 1981 general election.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Terence Boylan

Terence Boylan (10 September 1910 – 10 January 1991) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and businessman. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for the Kildare constituency at the 1964 by-election caused by the death of William Norton of the Labour Party. He was re-elected at the 1965 and 1969 general elections but lost his seat at the 1973 general election.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Sheila Galvin

Sheila Galvin

 

Sheila Galvin (23 February 1914 – 20 March 1983) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. She was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork Borough constituency at the February 1964 by election caused by the death of her husband John Galvin. She did not contest the 1965 general election.

Names of the Irish who died on 9/11

The monsters who brought these buildings down were not religious people, for Mohammad taught peace, order, and honor for hosts and guests.

The monsters who brought these buildings down were not animals, for an animal will kill only to survive, to eat or feed it's young, nothing more. 

The monsters who brought these buildings down do not follow Mohammad, nor are they Muslims, for true Muslims follow Mohammad and the Koran.

The monsters who brought these buildings know one religion, the religion of death, and these devilish minions of mayhem and death follow the Great Satan.

You will find them under rocks in Ireland, America, England, France, Germany, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Africa, trying to take over the world.

It is time for the world to say no to these monsters, no to their ideologies, time to hunt them down in their caves and holes, to stand up and face world justice.

By Liz Haren In memory of James Haran

"For the colors bled when they overflowed....red white and blue, green white
and gold (Long Journey Home, the Chieftains)

Victims of 9/11 with Irish connections

Donald Adams Shannon Adams Brian Ahearn Jeremiah J. Ahern Anna Williams Allison Paul Ambrose Mike Andrews Patrick Aranyos Michael Armstrong Thomas J. Ashton Brett T. Bailey Garnet Bailey Colleen Ann (Meehan) Barkow Matthew Barnes Sheila Barnes Diane Barry Maurice Barry Steven Bates Mark Bavis John Bergin David S. Berry Joseph Berry Anil Bharvaney Mark Bingham George John Bishop Christopher Blackwell Janice Blaney Darren Bohan Vincent Boland Jnr Thomas H. Bowden Donna Bowen Kimberly Bowers Shawn Edward Bowman Kevin L. Bowser Pamela Boyce Michael Boyle Kevin Bracken Sandra Waugh Bradshaw David Brady Edward A.'Ted' Brennan Frank Brennan Michael Brennan Peter Brennan Tom Brennan Daniel Brethel Mark Broderick Michael Brogan Patrick Brown Patrick(Paddy)Brown Vincent Brunton Dennis Buckley Matthew Burke Thomas Daniel Burke William Burke Jnr Thomas E. Burnett, Jr. Donald James Burns Kathleen A. Burns Keith Burns John Burnside Thomas Butler Patrick Byrne Timothy G. Byrne John Brett Cahill Michael Cahill Scott Cahill Thomas Cahill Seamus Cailte George Cain Frank Callahan Liam Callahan Suzanne Calley David Otey Campbell Geoffrey Thomas Campbell Robert Campbell Sean Canavan Michael Canty Dennis M Carey Michael Carlo Michael Carroll Peter J. Carroll James J. Carson Jr. Angelene Carter Neilie Casey william cashman steven coulter Christopher Sean Caton Mary Caulfield Robert J. Caulfield Michael J. Cawley Pedro Checo Douglas MacMillan Cherry Stephen Cherry Christopher Clarke Michael Clarke Kevin Cleary Jim Cleere Nestor Clinton Steven Coakley Patricia A. Cody Daniel Coffey Jason Matthew Coffey Kevin Cohen Keith Eugene Coleman Scott Thomas Coleman Robert Dana Colin Robert Coll Jean M Collin John Collins Michael Collins Thomas Collins Susan Conlon Margaret (Peggy) Conner Cynthia L. Connolly John E 'Jack' Connolly Jnr James Connor J.C. Connors Jonathon M Connors Kevin Connors Kevin F. Conroy Brenda E. Conway Joseph J. Coppo John 'Jay' Corcoran Georgine Rose Corrigan James J Corrigan Kevin M. Cosgrove Charles 'Chuck' Costello Michael Costello John Coughlin Martin Coughlin Timothy John Coughlin James Coyle Michelle Coyle-Eulau Christopher S. Cramer James Crawford Robert Crawford Tara Creamer (nee Shea) Joanne Cregan Dennis Cross Kevin Crotty Thomas G. Crotty John R Crowe Thomas P Cullen III Joan McConnell Cullinan Joyce Cummings Brian T. Cummins Michael J. 'Mickey' Cunningham Patrick Currivan Michael Curtin Gavin Cushny Patrick Danahy Vinny Danz Dwight Darcy Ada Davis Edward Day Bill Deane Colleen Deloughery Francis Demming Dennis Devlin Gerald "Jerry" Dewan Joseph Dickey John Doherty Brendan Dolan Robert Edward Dolan Kevin Donnelly Jacqueline Donovan William H Donovan Jr Thomas Dowd Thomas Dowd Tom Dowd Kevin Dowdell Mary Yolanda Dowling Ray Downey Frank J Doyle Joseph 'Joey' Doyle Patrick Driscoll Stephen Driscoll Christopher Michael Duffy Gerard Duffy Michael Joseph Duffy Patrick Dunn Christine Egan Lisa Egan Martin Egan Michael Egan Samantha Egan Mark Ellis Edgar Emery Eric Evans Robert Evans Catherine Fagan Patricia Fagan Bill Fallon Jamie Lynn Fallon William Fallon Jr. John Fanning John Fanning Kit Faragher Nancy Farley Paige Farley-Hackel John G. Farrell John W. Farrell Terry Farrell Joseph Farrelly Thomas Patrick Farrelly Christopher Faughnan Wendy Faulkner William Feehan Francis J. Feely Sean Fegan Edward Fergus James "Joe" Ferguson Michael Finnegan Timothy J. Finnerty New York's Bravest and Finest Firefighters Gerald P. Fisher Thomas Fitzpatrick Richard Fitzsimmons Thomas Foley David Fontana Claudia Foster Noel Foster Kevin Joseph Frawley Peter Fry Anthony Edward Gallagher Daniel J. Gallagher John Gallagher Thomas Galvin Matthew Garvey Bruce Gary Edward Geraghty Suzanne Geraty Craig Gibson Andrew Gilbert Timothy Gilbert Ron Gilligan Laura Gilly John Ginley Lisa Young Lt. John Ginley Tim Gleason Kieran Gorman Thomas Gorman Michael E Gould Douglas Gowell Michael Grady Jacobs Jimmy Gray Donald Greene James Greenleaf John Griffin Joan D. Griffith Rev Francis Grogan Karen Hagerty Robert Halligan Vince Halloran Christopher James Hanley Valerie Hanna Thomas Hannafin Kevin Hannaford Dana Hannon James Haran Jeffrey Hardy Timothy John Hargrave Harvey Harrell Lt. Steven Harrell Thomas F. Hughes Kathleen Hunt-Casey Tom Hynes Walter Hynes Fred Ill Kristine Anne Irvine Ryan Bryan Jack Brooke Jackman John Patrick Hart Timothy Haskell Capt. Terrence S. Hatton Leonard William Hatton James Hayden Philip Hayes Lt. Michael Healey Charles Francis Xavier Heeran John Heffernan Brian Hennessey Ted Hennessy Joseph Patrick Henry Brian Hickey Timothy Higgins Thomas Hines Tara Hobbs James Hobin Patrick Aloysius Hoey Joseph Francis Holland Elizabeth Holmes Thomas P. Holohan Jimmy Hopper Robert Horohoe Michael Horrocks George G. Howard Jennifer Howley-Dorsley Stephen Huczko Paul HughesWilliam Johnston Andrew Jordan Fr Mychal Judge Howard Lee Kane Jennifer Lynne Kane Vincent Kane Edward Keane Richard Keane Barbara Keating Paul Keating Paul H. Keating Russell Keene Chandler Keller Joseph J. Keller Joseph P. Kellett Frederick Kelley James Kelly Jennifer Lynne Kelly Joseph Kelly Maurice Patrick Kelly Richard J. Kelly Thomas M. Kelly Thomas R. Kelly Thomas W. Kelly Timothy Kelly William Hill Kelly Jr Robert C. (Bob) Kennedy Thomas Kennedy Thomas Kennedy John Keohane Lt. Ronald Kerwin Ronald Kerwin Michael Kiefer Robert King Jr. Glenn Kirwin Andrew Knox Thomas P. Knox Michael Patrick LaForte Robert T. Lane Brendan Mark Lang Rosanne P Lang Robin Larkey Scott Larsen Anna Laverty James Leahy Lt. Joseph G. Leavey Neil Leavy Joseph A Lenihan John J. Lennon Kenneth & Jennifer Gore Lewis Thomas V. Linehan Bobby Linnane Alan Patrick Linton William Lost Luiz Carlos Lucatelli Edward (Ted) H. Luckett Sean Lugano Bob Lynch Dick Lynch Farrell Lynch James Lynch Louise Lynch Michael Lynch Michael Lynch Michael F. Lynch Michael F. Lynch Richard Lynch Sean Lynch Sean Patrick Lynch Terence Michael Lynch Michael Lyons Patrick Lyons Maureen Lyons Olson Marianne MacFarlane Susan MacKay Richard Madden Brian Magee Charlie Magee Daniel Maher Thomas Mahon Thomas Mahon William Mahoney Gregory J. Malone Edward 'Teddy Maloney Joseph Maloney Christian Maltby Christian Maltby Terence Manning Lt. Peter Martin Richard Martin William (Bill) Martin Charles William Mathers Robert J. Mayo James McAlary Brian McAleese Patricia A. McAneney Colin McArthur John McAvoy Ken McBrayer Brendan McCabe Michael J. McCabe Thomas McCann Justin McCarthy Kevin McCarthy Michael McCarthy Robert G. McCarthy Katie McCloskey Juliana Valentine McCourt Ruth McCourt Charles Austin McCrann Tonyell McDay Matthew McDermott Joseph McDonald Brian McDonnell Michael Patrick McDonnell Timothy McDonnell John McDowell Eamon J McEneaney William Hill McEneaney John Thomas McErlean Jr John McEwan Katherine (Katie) McGarry-Noack Daniel McGinley Mark Ryan McGinly William McGinn Thomas H. McGinnis Michael McGinty Ann McGovern Scott McGovern William McGovern Stacey McGowan Francis Noel McGuinn Tom McGuinness Patrick McGuire Tommy McHale Keith McHeffey Ann McHugh Denis J. McHugh Dennis McHugh Michael McHugh Jr Robert G. McIlvaine Donald James McIntyre Stephanie McKenna Barry McKeon Darryl McKinney George Patrick McLaughlin Robert C. McLaughlin George McLaughlin, Jr. George Patrick McLaughlin, Jr. Gavin McMahon Robert McMahon Edmund M. McNally Daniel McNeal Walter Arthur McNeil Sean McNulty Robert McPadden Terence McShane Timothy McSweeney Martin McWilliams Damien Meehan William Meehan Colleen Anne Meehan-Barkow Peter Melano Charles Mendez Lt. Paul Mitchell Brian Monaghan Franklin "Mondo" Monahan John Monahan Joseph A Monahan Michael Montessi Capt. Thomas Moody Sharon Moore Gerald "Jerry" Moran John Moran Richard Morgan Dennis G. Moroney John Morris Lynne Irene Morris Odessa V. Morris Alan Patrick Morrison Christopher Morrison Stephen Mulderry Richard Muldowney Michael Mullan Dennis Mulligan Michael Mullin Brian Murphy Charles Murphy Christopher W Murphy David Murphy Edward Murphy Farrell Murphy James Murphy James F. Murphy Kevin James Murphy Louise Murphy Lt. Raymond E. Murphy Patrick Jude Murphy Patrick Sean Murphy John (Jack) Murray John J. Murray Susan D. Murray Alexander J. Napier Luke Nee Ann Nicole Nelson David W. Nelson James Nelson Michelle Nelson Peter A. Nelson Sean Patrick Nelson Gerard Nevins Daniel R. Nolan Robert Walter Noonan Robert & Jacqueline Norton Brian Novotny Dennis O'Berg Michael O'Brien Scott O'Brien Timothy Michael O'Brien James P. O'Brien Jr. Lt. Daniel O'Callaghan Diane Jessica O'Connor Keith Kevin O'Connor Richard J. O'Connor Dennis J. O'Connor Jr. Sean O'Deargain Amy O'Doherty Marni Pont O'Doherty James Andrew O'Grady Lt. Thomas O'Hagen Capt. William O'Keefe Patrick O'Keefe Richard O'Keeffe Gerald O'Leary Matthew O'Mahony Seamus O'Neal John P. O'Neill John P. O'Neill Peter J. O'Neill Sean O'Neill Kenneth John O'Reilly Kevin O'Rourke Patrick O'Shea Robert W. O'Shea Timothy O'Sullivan Joseph Ogren Gerald Olcott Virginia (Ginger) Ormiston-Kenworthy Peter Ortale Steven B. Paterson James Matthew Patrick Bernard E. Patterson Durrell Pearsall Emelda Perry John Perry Lt. Glenn Perry Kaleen Pezzuti Lt. Kenneth Phelan Dennis Pierce Erin Piner Clancy Powers Richard Prunty Beth Quigley Patrick J Quigley Lt. Michael Quilty James Quinn Ricardo Quinn Adam Rand Michele Reed Judy Reese Donald J. Regan Robert Regan Thomas M. Regan Gregg Reidy James B. Reilly Kevin Reilly Timothy E. Reilly Bruce Reynolds David Rice Eileen Rice Kenneth F. Rice Claude D. Richards Venesha Richards James Richies Steven Roach Michael Roberts Michael Edwards Roberts Jeffrey Robinson Richard Rodriguez Matthew Rogan Sean Rooney Richard Ross Nick Rowe Timothy Roy Stephen Russell Edward Ryan John J. Ryan Jonathan Ryan Matthew L. Ryan Gabriele Sacco James Sands Jr. Thomas Schoales Mark Schwartz Arthur Warren Scullin Robert Shay Daniel Shea Joseph Shea Linda Sheehan Christopher Slattery Vincent Slavin Vincent Slavin Wendy Small Moira Smith Joseph Spor Lawrence Stack Timothy Stackpole Michael James Stewart James J. Straine, Jr. Daniel Suhr Christopher Sullivan Patrick Sullivan Thomas G. Sullivan Colleen Supinski Brian Sweeney Madeline "Amy" Sweeney Thomas Swift Phyllis Talbot Sean Tallon Paul Talty Michael Anthony Tanner Army Maj. Kip Taylor Donnie Brooks Taylor Michael M. Taylor Brian Thompson Glen Thompson John Tierney Stephen Edward Tighe John J. Tipping John J. Tobin Dan Trant Daniel Patrick Trant Glenn J. Travers Walter (Wally) P. Travers Lance Richard Tumulty Robert Twomey Allen V. Upton Peter Vega John Vigiano Joseph Vigiano Melissa Vincent Benjamin Walker Glen J. Wall John Wallace Lt. Robert F. Wallace Mitchel Scott Wallace Peter G. Wallace Roy Wallace Matthew "Blake" Wallens Barbara Walsh James Walsh Stephen G. Ward Tim Ward James A. Waring Brian G. Warner Charles Waters James Waters Pat Waters Kenneth Watson Todd C. Weaver Walter E. Weaver Nathaniel Webb Dinah Webster Michael Weinberg Vincent Wells Deborah Welsh Peter M. West Whitfield West Meredith Whalen Eugene Whelan Adam White Edward "Teddy" White James Patrick White John S. White Kenneth W. White Leonard Anthony White Malissa White Wayne White Mark Whitford Michael Wholey Glenn Wilkinson Brian Patrick Williams Crossley Williams David Williams Deborah Lynn Williams Kevin Williams Louis Williams Lt. Cmdr. David Williams Candace Lee Williams John Williamson Cynthia Wilson Donna Wilson William E. Wilson Thomas Francis Wise Jim Woods Patrick Woods Capt. David T. Wooley Rodney James Wotton William Wren John Wright Neil Robin Wright Sandra Wright Kevin York  Barrington L. Young Edmond Young Jacqueline (Jakki) Young

 

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Patrick (Paddy) Belton

Patrick (Paddy) Belton (25 June 1926 – 22 May 1987) was an Irish politician, company director and publican. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) at the Dublin North–East by-election held on 30 May 1963 caused by the death of his brother Jack Belton. He was re-elected for Dublin North–East at the 1965, 1969 and 1973 general elections. He lost his seat at the 1977 general election.

Other members of the Belton family to have served in the Oireachtas include, his father Patrick Belton, his brother Richard Belton and his niece Avril Doyle.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Lorcan Allen

Lorcan Allen (born 27 March 1940) is an Irish farmer and former Fianna Fáil politician.

Allen was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for the Wexford constituency at the 1961 general election. Aged 21 years and 6 months at the time, he is the third youngest ever TD. He held his seat in 6 succeeding general elections until his defeat at the November 1982 general election. He also unsuccessfully contested the next three general elections.

When Charles Haughey appointed his first Government in December 1979, Allen became a Minister of State, appointed to the Department of Agriculture, a position he retained in the short-serving 1982 Government.

Allen lost his county council seat at the 2009 local elections, but retained his Gorey Town Council seat.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Seán Treacy

Seán Treacy

 
Seán Treacy (born 23 September 1923) is a former Irish politician who was Ceann Comhairle (chairman) of Dáil Éireann from 1973 to 1977 and from 1987 to 1997.

He was first elected to the Dáil at the 1961 general election as a Labour Party Teachta Dála (TD) for the Tipperary South constituency and was re-elected in seven subsequent elections and returned automatically in three more due to his being Ceann Comhairle. He left the Labour Party in 1987 and was elected as an independent TD at the 1987 general election. He retired from politics at the 1997 general election.

He was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1981 to 1984, replacing Eileen Desmond who resigned as an MEP when she was appointed Minister for Health and Social Welfare.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Thomas Dunne

Thomas Dunne (10 March 1926 – 3 August 1990) was an Irish Fine Gael politician and Teachta Dála (TD) for Tipperary North from 1961 to 1977.

He was an unsuccessful candidate at the 1957 general election, but at the 1961 general election he defeated the Fianna Fáil TD Mary Ryan, and took his seat in the 17th Dáil. He was re-elected at the next three general elections, before losing his seat in the Fianna Fáil landslide at the 1977 general election to Michael Smith.

In 1973, Dunne was appointed a member of the second delegation from the Oireachtas to the European Parliament.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Eugene Gilhawley

Eugene Gilhawley (14 April 1910 – 3 May 1987) was an Irish Fine Gael politician, from Ballymote, County Sligo. Gilhawley represented the Ballymote area on Sligo County Council from 1955 to his retirement in 1979. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) for the Sligo–Leitrim constituency at the 1961 general election and was re-elected at the 1965 general election. He lost his seat at the 1969 general election but was again elected at the 1973 general election and was re-elected at the 1977 general election. He did not contest the 1981 general election.

Eugene Gilhawley had worked as a National School principal for many years, until retiring in 1973, and was also an active member of Sligo GAA.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - James Gallagher

James Gallagher (20 April 1920 – 11 March 1983) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. A farmer before entering politics, Gallagher was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for the Sligo–Leitrim constituency at the 1961 general election. He was re-elected at the 1965 and 1969 general elections. He did not contest the 1973 general election but he stood again at the 1977 general election and was again elected for Sligo–Leitrim. He did not contest the 1981 general election and retired from politics.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Patrick Joseph Reynolds

Patrick Joseph Reynolds (25 November 1920 – 27 December 2003) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served three terms in Dáil Éireann and five in Seanad Éireann, where he was Cathaoirleach (chairman) for four years.

Reynolds was born in Killellan, County Leitrim in 1920. His father Patrick Reynolds was elected as a Cumann na nGaedheal Teachta Dála (TD) for Leitrim–Sligo at the September 1927 general election, but was fatally shot during the 1932 general election campaign. The election was postponed, and his mother Mary won the seat, serving the Dáil for 29 years.

He was educated locally, receiving only a primary school education before his father's death forced him to leave school and join the family business. He built the business successfully, transforming the hardware shop which he had inherited from into one of the largest builders' suppliers and hardware merchants in the north west.

With his wife Tess, he had two sons, Gerry and Peter, and two daughters, Ita and Regina. Gerry continued the family's political tradition, serving like his father as a Fine Gael TD and senator.

Reynolds was first elected to Leitrim County Council in 1943, and served as a councillor for more than 40 years, taking a particular interest in rural electrification and group water schemes. He was the longest-serving chairman of the council, holding the office for 12 years from 1967 to 1979.

He was first elected to the 17th Dáil at the 1961 general election, as a TD for the Roscommon constituency. He was re-elected at the 1965 general election, but at the 1969 general election he was defeated in the new Roscommon–Leitrim constituency. He was then elected to the 12th Seanad by the Administrative Panel.

The 1960s proved to be a fallow period for Fine Gael as the party was out of power for the entire decade, but at the 1973 general election a Fine Gael–Labour Party coalition government came to power and Reynolds was elected to the 20th Dáil for Roscommon–Leitrim. In 1976, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and the Public Service. In spite of this appointment, Reynolds lost his Dáil seat at the 1977 general election. Following this defeat, he secured election to the 14th Seanad on the Industrial and Commercial Panel, which re-elected him to the 15th Seanad in 1981, the 16th Seanad in 1982 and 17th Seanad in 1983.

He was elected on 23 February 1983 as Cathaoirleach of the 17th Seanad, succeeding Tras Honan. He held the office until he stepped down from the Seanad at the 1987 election.

Reynolds died on 27 December 2003, aged 83, and was buried in his home town of Ballinamore, County Leitrim. Tributes in the Seanad after his death described him as a traditionalist or conservative, but praised his warmth, fairness and integrity, and the Irish Independent described his hospitality as "legendary".

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Brian Lenihan Sr.

Brian Lenihan Sr.

 

Brian Patrick Lenihan (17 November 1930 – 1 November 1995) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician, who served in a range of cabinet positions, most notably as Tánaiste (deputy Prime Minister), Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Justice.

Lenihan sat for many years as a Fianna Fáil representative in both houses of the Irish parliament, Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. He served numerous terms as a government minister, was appointed Tánaiste in 1987, and stood unsuccessfully for the Irish presidency in 1990.

He was a member of a family political dynasty; his father, Patrick Lenihan, and sister both followed him into Dáil Éireann; his sister Mary O'Rourke sitting in cabinet with him. Two of his sons, Brian Lenihan, Jnr and Conor Lenihan, became TDs in the 1990s. Brian Lenihan, Jnr served as Minister for Finance and Conor was Minister of State in the government of Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Two phrases associated with him, No problem and On mature recollection, entered the Irish political lexicon.



Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Denis Farrelly

Denis Farrelly (18 September 1912 – 27 December 1974) was a Fine Gael politician from County Meath in Ireland. He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for 8 years, and then a Senator for five years.

A member of Meath County Council from 1959, Farrelly was chairman of the North-Eastern Health Board from 1971 until his death. He stood unsuccessfully as a Fine Gael candidate for Dáil Éireann in the Meath constituency at the 1954 general election and at a by-election in 1959, before winning the seat at the 1961 election. He was re-elected in 1965, but defeated at the 1969 general election. He stood again in 1973, but was not elected.

After the loss of his Dáil seat 1969, he was elected to the 12th Seanad Éireann on the Industrial and Commercial Panel. He was returned in 1973 to the 13th Seanad, and died in office in 1974, aged 62.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Joseph Lenehan

Joseph R. Lenehan (1916 – 6 December 1981) was an Irish politician and publican. Lenehan first stood for election as a Fine Gael candidate at the 1944 general election but was not elected. He was also an unsuccessful candidate at the 1951 general election.

He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as an independent Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo North constituency at the 1961 general election. He lost his seat at the 1965 general election but was subsequently nominated by the Taoiseach to the 11th Seanad. He was elected as a Fianna Fáil TD for the Mayo West constituency at the 1969 general election. He lost his seat at the 1973 general election.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Michael Browne

Michael Browne (12 January 1930 – 20 December 2008) was an Irish Fine Gael politician. He was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo North constituency at the 1961 general election. He lost his seat at the 1965 general election. He unsuccessfully contested the Mayo East constituency at the 1969 general election.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Joseph Sheridan

Michael Joseph "Joe" Sheridan (27 November 1914 – 30 September 2000) was an Irish politician, originally with Fine Gael but for most of his career an independent.

Sheridan came from Drumlish in County Longford, and had three brothers and two sisters. He moved to Westmeath, first to Kilbeggan and then to Mullingar. An auctioneer and farmer by profession, he was elected to Westmeath county council, and then to Seanad Éireann on the Agricultural Panel at a by-election on 14 May 1956. He was re-elected at the 1957 Seanad election, this time on the Labour Panel. He was elected to Dáil Éireann as an independent Teachta Dála (TD) for the Longford–Westmeath constituency at the 1961 general election. In spite of his Fine Gael background, he supported the minority Fianna Fáil government. He was re-elected at the 1965, 1969, 1973 and 1977 general elections. He concentrated on local constituency needs, with the electoral slogan "Vote for Joe, the Man you Know." He retired at the 1981 general election.

Sheridan had five sons and four daughters, of whom Kathy Sheridan is a journalist with The Irish Times.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Thomas G. O'Donnell

Thomas G. (Tom) O'Donnell (born 30 August 1926) is a former Irish Fine Gael politician. He was born at Bulgaden, County Limerick and was educated at the Crescent College, Salesian College and University College Dublin where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. He worked as a teacher and a voluntary community activist before becoming involved in politics.

O'Donnell was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1961 general election as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) for Limerick East. He was Opposition Front Bench spokesperson on Transport, Power and Tourism from 1969 to 1973. He served in the government on one occasion in the National Coalition under Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave between 1973 and 1977 as Minister for the Gaeltacht. He was Opposition Front Bench spokesperson on Telecommunications from 1977–1979. O'Donnell was elected to the European Parliament at the 1979 elections. He retired from national politics following the 1987 general election when he lost his seat. He was spokesperson on Regional Policy for the European People's Party (EPP) from 1979 to 1989.

After his retirement from politics he subsequently became actively involved in the voluntary sector. He was Chairperson of the Limerick Peace Institute at the University of Limerick, Chairperson of the PAUL Partnership, Chairperson to the Limerick City and County Strategy Group and the Limerick Employment Pact.

He was honoured by Limerick City Council with a civic reception and a special presentation in 2005 to mark his half a century of his political and voluntary services to the people of Limerick City and County.

He is married to Helen O'Connor from Sligo, former Honorary National Secretary of Fine Gael and they have one son. His uncle Richard O'Connell was a Cumann na nGaedheal TD for Limerick from 1924 to 1932 and his nephew Kieran O'Donnell is a TD for Limerick since 2007.

Members of the Seventeenth Dáil - Stephen Coughlan

Stephen Coughlan

 

Stephen "Stevie" Coughlan (26 December 1910 – 20 December 1994) was an Irish Labour Party politician who served for eighteen years as Teachta Dála (TD) for the Limerick East constituency.

Coughlan stood for election as a Clann na Poblachta candidate at the 1954 general election, when he won the second-highest number of first-preference votes, but failed to win enough transfers to secure any of the four seats. He stood again for Clann na Poblachta at the 1957 general election, but his vote had fallen significantly and he was again unsuccessful.

As Clann na Poblachta declined in support in the late 1950s, Coughlan joined the Labour Party and was elected as a Labour candidate at the 1961 general election taking his seat in the 17th Dáil. He was returned to Dáil Éireann at the next three elections, but lost his seat at the 1977 general election to a former Labour party running-mate, Michael Lipper, who stood as an independent.

Coughlan was described by the Irish political magazine Nusight as "personifying a parochialism and prejudice hitherto unknown at a national level". He was known for holding numerous views that conflicted with the Labour Party and his relationship with the Labour Party was always poor, particularly with Barry Desmond. He welcomed the controversial Springbok tour to Limerick in 1970, much to the chagrin of the Labour Party and the local Limerick City Labour chairman Jim Kemmy.

As well as his career in the Dáil, Coughlan was also a long-serving member of Limerick City Council, and was the Mayor of Limerick from 1951–52 and 1969–1970.







When the Easter Rising happened the British establishment were all at the racetrack

In an article dated 3 April 2013 entitled "When the Easter Rising happened the British establishment were all at the racetrack - My grandfather, too, attended the Grand National horse race on that historic day."

Fairyhouse, County Meath: Back on April 24th 1916 the British establishment showed up here on Easter Monday for the horse racing highlight of the year in Ireland, the Irish Grand National.

Like most Irish events of the time it was a pale version of the British Grand National horse race, the greatest race on the racing calendar.

Contemporary accounts reflect a grand old time, the British military officers in particular, on break from the First World War, were in fine humor enjoying the spectacle of the day.

It was a day known for the height of fashion as the Dublin ladies tried to catch the eye of the dashing military officers. The weather that long ago day was spring like.

History records that All Sorts won the big race, trained by Richard Cleary, but the names would soon be forgotten.

Looking around Fairyhouse on Easter Monday 2013 it is hard to imagine that the place has changed that much. Sure there are modern buildings now but the layout of the racecourse which lies among windswept hills some 20 miles or so from Dublin is still the same. To the south are the Dublin Mountains, covered in snow this week after Ireland’s cold spell. To the north and south and east are the rolling hills and lush green fields of Meath.

The track itself is a natural amphitheater but very exposed to the elements. The whipping wind on Monday last kept many spectators quartered inside.

Also at the track that day in 1916 was Joseph Devins, a shopkeeper, my then 33-year-old maternal grandfather who had traveled up from Clare for the day on what must have been an unusual day out for him.

At around 11am that day in the center of Dublin, 1,200 men, far fewer than expected because of a countermanding order wrongly sent, showed up in front of the GPO, made a left turn and changed the course of Irish history. A man called Patrick Pearse read a proclamation. A revolution began.

Out at Fairyhouse mounted messengers soon arrived hotfoot with startling news that an uprising was underway.

There was consternation at the track. All public transportation was suspended as the military commandeered all forms of transport. My grandfather was unable to find any way to get to the station to catch his train home.

Back home in Ennis, County Clare, my grandmother, Jane Devins, soon began fretting as the shock news of an uprising reached them.

It is family lore that it took Joseph a full week, walking all the way, to get back to Clare and safety and that my grandmother fainted when he walked in the door as she had given him all up for dead.

He had survived. I thought of him on Monday and what it must have been like at Fairyhouse on that day in 1916. In 2013 a gallant mare, a 50/1 outsider called Liberty Counsel, shocked the punters and won the race. I liked that she had the name of liberty — somehow it fit the mood and the events of that famous day long ago.