Denis Gallagher
Encyclopedia
Denis Gallagher was a senior Irish
Fianna Fáil
politician. He served as Minister for the Gaeltacht
on two occasions.
Denis Gallagher was born in Currane, by Clew Bay
, facing Achill Island
, County Mayo
in 1922. He was educated locally and at St. Enda's College in Galway
. He qualified as a national school teacher having graduated from St. Patrick’s Drumcondra
in Dublin. He taught in Drimnagh in Dublin for several years before returning to Mayo in 1946 to take up a teaching post. Gallagher stood as a Clann na Poblachta
candidate in the 1954 General Election
in Mayo but failed to be elected.
In the 1960s Gallagher changed allegiance and became a member of Fianna Fáil
. He was elected to Mayo County Council in 1967 and was elected to Dáil Éireann
on his second attempt in the 1973 general election
for the Mayo West
constituency. Gallagher did not remain on the backbenches for very long. He joined the Fianna Fáil front bench in 1974 as spokesperson on Fisheries. He remained in that position until 1977 when the party returned to power and Gallagher was appointed Minister for the Gaeltacht. He was an active Minister with an interest in Irish language affairs.
During the 1979 leadership contest
Gallagher supported George Colley
. However, Charles Haughey
became party leader and Taoiseach
. Because of this Gallagher was demoted to the position of Minister of State
. In October 1982, following the resignations of Martin O'Donoghue
and Desmond O'Malley
from the Cabinet, after they supported Charlie McCreevy
’s motion of no confidence, Gallagher returned as Minister for the Gaeltacht. He remained in that post until December when Fianna Fáil
went into opposition.
Following the 1987 general election
there was no place in the cabinet for Gallagher. He was however made Minister of State at the Department of the Gaeltacht. As a result he retired from politics at the following general election in 1989. After his retirement he worked to advance the Irish language
cause and also served as chairman of the Gaelic Athletic Association
in Mayo.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
politician. He served as Minister for the Gaeltacht
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is a senior minister at the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is Frances Fitzgerald, TD.-Overview:...
on two occasions.
Denis Gallagher was born in Currane, by Clew Bay
Clew Bay
Clew Bay is a natural ocean bay in County Mayo, Ireland. It contains Ireland's best example of sunken drumlins. According to tradition, there is an island in the bay for every day of the year. The bay is overlooked by Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain, and the mountains of North Mayo. Clare...
, facing Achill Island
Achill Island
Achill Island in County Mayo is the largest island off the coast of Ireland, and is situated off the west coast. It has a population of 2,700. Its area is . Achill is attached to the mainland by Michael Davitt Bridge, between the villages of Gob an Choire and Poll Raithní . A bridge was first...
, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
in 1922. He was educated locally and at St. Enda's College in Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
. He qualified as a national school teacher having graduated from St. Patrick’s Drumcondra
Drumcondra, Dublin
Drumcondra is a residential area and inner suburb on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. It is administered by Dublin City Council.The River Tolka and the Royal Canal flow through the area.-History:...
in Dublin. He taught in Drimnagh in Dublin for several years before returning to Mayo in 1946 to take up a teaching post. Gallagher stood as a Clann na Poblachta
Clann na Poblachta
Clann na Poblachta , abbreviated CnaP, was an Irish republican and social democratic political party founded by former Irish Republican Army Chief of Staff Seán MacBride in 1946.-Foundation:...
candidate in the 1954 General Election
Irish general election, 1954
The Irish general election of 1954 was held on 18 May 1954. The newly elected members of the 15th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 2 June when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
in Mayo but failed to be elected.
In the 1960s Gallagher changed allegiance and became a member of Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
. He was elected to Mayo County Council in 1967 and was elected to Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
on his second attempt in the 1973 general election
Irish general election, 1973
The Irish general election of 1973 was held on 28 February 1973. The newly elected 144 members of the 20th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 4 March when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
for the Mayo West
Mayo West (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Mayo West was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1969 to 1997. The constituency was served by 3 deputies...
constituency. Gallagher did not remain on the backbenches for very long. He joined the Fianna Fáil front bench in 1974 as spokesperson on Fisheries. He remained in that position until 1977 when the party returned to power and Gallagher was appointed Minister for the Gaeltacht. He was an active Minister with an interest in Irish language affairs.
During the 1979 leadership contest
Fianna Fáil leadership election, 1979
The 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership election began in December 1979, when Jack Lynch resigned as party leader and Taoiseach. Lynch had been party leader for thirteen years and Taoiseach for over nine years. His successor was elected by the members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 7 December...
Gallagher supported George Colley
George Colley
George Colley was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician, who served in a wide number of Cabinet poistions, most notably as Minister for Finance and Tánaiste. He was twice defeated for the leadership of Fianna Fáil in 1966 and 1979.-Early life:Colley was born in Fairview, on the northside of Dublin...
. However, Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
became party leader and Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
. Because of this Gallagher was demoted to the position of Minister of State
Minister of State (Ireland)
A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
. In October 1982, following the resignations of Martin O'Donoghue
Martin O'Donoghue
Martin O'Donoghue is a former Irish politician and economist. He also served as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála and holds the distinction of being one of only five TDs to be appointed Minister on their first day in the Dáil...
and Desmond O'Malley
Desmond O'Malley
Desmond Joseph "Des" O'Malley is a former Irish politician.Born in Limerick, O'Malley was raised in a local political dynasty that had a strong association with Fianna Fáil. Elected to Dáil Éireann in 1968, he quickly became a trusted confidante of Taoiseach Jack Lynch...
from the Cabinet, after they supported Charlie McCreevy
Charlie McCreevy
Charles "Charlie" McCreevy is a former Irish politician. He was the European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services from 2004–2010. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD in 1977 and held the seat in Kildare until 2004 when he became Ireland's European Commissioner...
’s motion of no confidence, Gallagher returned as Minister for the Gaeltacht. He remained in that post until December when Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
went into opposition.
Following the 1987 general election
Irish general election, 1987
The Irish general election of 1987 was held on 17 February 1987, four weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 20 January. The newly-elected 166 members of the 25th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 10 March when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed.The general election took place in...
there was no place in the cabinet for Gallagher. He was however made Minister of State at the Department of the Gaeltacht. As a result he retired from politics at the following general election in 1989. After his retirement he worked to advance the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
cause and also served as chairman of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
in Mayo.