Meet Micheál Martin, Ireland’s Taoiseach
His family tragedy, net worth and political life
Born Cork August 1st 1960, Micheál Martin is the 15th Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland, he’s been the Prime Minister of Ireland since his appointment by the President Michael D. Higgins on June 27 2020. Micheál Martin has lead the Fianna Fái political party from 2011 and once been the opposition leader for almost a decade.
The Fianna Fái party leader and now Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland has served in several positions in the past notably; He was voted to Cork City Council in 1985, functioned as Lord Mayor of Cork from 1992 – 1993, Teachta Dála (TD) for Cork South-Centra in the 80’s, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment from, Minister for Health and Children, Minister for Education and Science and many more.
Early life
Martin birth in Cork and raised in the Turners Cross town he was the 3rd of five children raised by father Paddy Martin former soldier in the Defence Forces who passed on in 2012 and mother Eileen “Lana” Corbett who also passed on in 2010.
The political interest of Martin grew in his days at the university where he became a vital member of the UCC cumann of Ógra Fianna Fáil, the youth wing of the party, followed by his chairmanship of the Ógra. Martin followed up with an MA in political history after BA Degree
Early political Career
Martin’s time as a teacher was brief: just after a year he became a full-time politician, after being elected to Cork Corporation as a Fianna Fáil candidate in 1985, it confirmed his desire to pursue a career in national politics
In 1989, Martin was once again included to the Fianna Fáil ticket in Cork South-Central, and secured election to Dáil Éireann. He has won all elections since after the emergency elections organized by then Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Charles Haughey
Bertie Ahern was elected as the new leader of Fianna Fáil, after they lost power and became opposition. Martin, nonetheless, joined Ahern’s new front bench at the start of 1995 as Spokesperson on Education and the Gaeltacht.
Fianna Fáil’s victory in 1997 saw Taoiseach Bertie Ahern appoint Martin to the Cabinet, in 2004, as Health Minister, Martin was known for initiating a ban on tobacco smoking in all Irish workplaces, making Ireland the 1st country globally to introduce a full workplace smoking ban. As Foreign Minister, Martin visited Khartoum following the kidnapping of Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki.
Following the resignation of Cowen as Leader of Fianna Fáil in 2011 Martin was given the burton as Leader of Fianna Fáil, where he lost miserably in the 2011 general election few weeks after. Nonetheless, Martin came back stronger in the next election as Fianna Fáil’s performance improved significantly, doubling their representation in the Dáil.
Martin led them until 2020 general election, which saw Fianna Fáil see the majority in the Dáil by just one seat. On several deliberations, Martin was appointed Taoiseach (Prime Minister) on June 27th 2020.
Education
Micheál Martin studied at the University College Cork, Colaiste Chriost Ri and obtained a BA degree, an MA in political history. Subsequently, he completed a higher diploma in education, and began a career as a history teacher in Presentation Brothers College.
Family
Micheál Martin is married to Mary O’Shea whom she met at his days in the university. They have a total of five children namely; Ruairí, died at 5 weeks old in 2000 from sudden infant death syndrome. Léana, died in October 2010 shortly before turning 8 years after suffering from a heart condition. The other 3 children are Cillian, Aoibhe, and Micheál Aodh Martin who is a goalkeeper are the once left.
Net Worth
Micheál Martin having held several political and public positions, is rumored to be worth around $1 Million US Dollars.
