fiachra Ó céilleachair » biography

Biography

Constituency:
Waterford

Euro Electoral Region:
Ireland South

Electoral Status:
Fiachra is currently .

Address:
Maoil a' Chóirne,
An Rinn,
Dungarvan,
Co. Waterford.

Tel:
087-2220235 (m)

Email:
fiachraoc@hotmail.com

Website:
http://www.labour.ie/fiachra/

Political Career:

• Active in student politics in Maynooth College, where he joined the Workers Party. Joined Democratic Left upon its foundation in 1992. Fiachra was appointed that party's National Organiser during its period in the Rainbow Government. Co-opted to replace Tony Wright on Dungarvan UDC and Waterford County Council in November 1997. Fiachra was elected to the Executive of the Labour Party in January 1999, upon its merger with Democratic Left. He was twice re-elected to that body, serving until 2005. Fiachra was elected to Waterford County Council for the Dungarvan electoral area in June 1999. Fiachra was the sole Labour representative elected to Údarás na Gaeltachta in December 1999, taking 56% of the first preference vote on a 70% turnout in the Waterford Gaeltact electoral area. He was re-elected, similarily pulling in half of all first preference votes in the 2005 Údarás election. Fiachra is unique as a Labour Party representative in having successfully, twice in succesion, fought a single seat constituency. Fiachra Ó Céilleachair has been leas Cathaoirleach of the Labour Councillors Association. Fiachra was elected to Dungarvan Town Council in June 2004 and was chosen as Mayor for the June 2005/April 2006 period. Fiachra announced in October 2008 that he would not be a candidate in either the local elections due in June 2009 or the Údarás na Gaeltachta elections, initially expected in the 6/9 months afterward.

Occupation:

• Press and Information Officer with the Communications Dept of the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Memberships:

• GAA, IMPACT.

Other Interests:

• Member of sub-committees of Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Family Background:

• Married to Siobhán Smyth ( a secondary teacher from Co. Louth), with son called Ruán (born 3rd August 2005) and daughter Sadhbh (born 25th March 2008).
• Fiachra's parents in Ring are Tomás Ó Céilleachair, former teacher at Coláiste na Rinne, and Ann Mulqueen, traditional singer. Fiachra's three sisters are Odharnait, Sorcha and Neasa. His brother is Ógie.

Birth Details:

• Born April 28th, 1970

Education:

• Educated at Scoil Náisiúnta na Rinne, Coláiste na Rinne and Meánscoil San Nioclás in Ring, Co. Waterford. Following a BA, Fiachra completed Masters degree in Sociology by thesis at NUI Maynooth College. Fiachra also possesses a diploma in politics from Boston College, USA and a computer skills certificate.

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