Charlie McConalogue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charlie McConalogue
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McConalogue in 2022
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| Minister of State | |
| 2025– | Culture, Communications and Sport |
| 2020 | Justice |
| Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine | |
| In office 2 September 2020 – 23 January 2025 |
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| Taoiseach | |
| Preceded by | Micheál Martin (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Martin Heydon |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office February 2016 |
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| Constituency | Donegal |
| In office February 2011 – February 2016 |
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| Constituency | Donegal North-East |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles McConalogue
29 October 1977 Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin |
Charles McConalogue (born 29 October 1977) is an Irish politician from the Fianna Fáil party. Since January 2025, he has been a Minister of State in the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. Before this, he was the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine from September 2020 to January 2025. He also served as a Minister of State at the Department of Justice for a short time in 2020.
Charles McConalogue is a Teachta Dála (TD), which is a member of the Irish Parliament. He has represented the Donegal area since the 2016 general election. Before that, he was a TD for the Donegal North-East area from 2011 to 2016.
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Early Life and Education
Charles McConalogue grew up near Gleneely, a village in Inishowen, County Donegal. He studied economics, politics, and history at University College Dublin (UCD). During his time at UCD, he also worked as an Education Officer for the students' union.
After finishing college, he worked for a while as a political organiser for the Fianna Fáil party in Dublin. Later, he returned home to County Donegal to help manage his family's farm near Carndonagh. He is married and has two sons.
Starting His Political Career
Charles McConalogue began his political journey by being elected to the Donegal County Council in 2009. He represented the Inishowen area.
Becoming a TD
In 2011, two other Fianna Fáil politicians in Donegal North-East decided not to run for election again. This meant the party needed a new candidate. Charles McConalogue was chosen to run for the general election in that area.
He won enough votes to become a Teachta Dála (TD). This made him one of the three representatives for Donegal North-East in the Irish Parliament.
Early Roles in Parliament
After becoming a TD, Charles McConalogue took on important roles within his party. From April 2011 to July 2012, he was the Fianna Fáil spokesperson for Children. In July 2012, he became the party's spokesperson for Education and Skills.
Important Government Roles
In the 2016 general election, the election areas were changed. Charles McConalogue ran in the new five-seat Donegal area. He received the most votes and was elected on the very first count.
He also helped his party in discussions about forming the government in 2016.
Minister of State and Cabinet Minister
On 1 July 2020, Charles McConalogue was appointed as a Minister of State at the Department of Justice. His job involved working on law reform.
Later that year, on 2 September 2020, he became the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. He held this important role until January 2025. In this job, he was responsible for farming, food, and sea-related matters in Ireland.
In December 2020, he had to limit his movements after a health check. He isolated at home in Donegal. In March 2022, a similar situation meant he could not travel to Canada for St Patrick's Day, but he was able to attend a parade in Buncrana.
On 17 December 2022, he was re-appointed as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when Leo Varadkar became the new Taoiseach (Prime Minister).
Current Role
In the 2024 general election, Charles McConalogue was re-elected as a TD. While he did not continue as a senior cabinet minister in January 2025, he was appointed to a new role. Since 29 January 2025, he has been a Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. In this role, he focuses on sport and postal services.
