Heather Humphreys facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Heather Humphreys
Humphreys in 2019
Minister for Social Protection
In office 27 June 2020 – 23 January 2025
Taoiseach	Micheál Martin Leo Varadkar Simon Harris
Preceded by	Regina Doherty
Succeeded by	Dara Calleary
Minister for Rural and Community Development
In office 27 June 2020 – 23 January 2025
Taoiseach	Micheál Martin Leo Varadkar Simon Harris
Preceded by	Michael Ring
Succeeded by	Dara Calleary
Deputy leader of Fine Gael
In office 5 April 2024 – 19 October 2024
Leader	Simon Harris
Preceded by	Simon Coveney
Succeeded by	Helen McEntee
Minister for Justice
In office 26 November 2022 – 17 December 2022
Taoiseach	Micheál Martin
Preceded by	Helen McEntee
Succeeded by	Simon Harris
In office 27 April 2021 – 1 November 2021
Taoiseach	Micheál Martin
Preceded by	Helen McEntee
Succeeded by	Helen McEntee
Other Government Ministries Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation In office 30 November 2017 – 27 June 2020 Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Preceded by Frances Fitzgerald Succeeded by Leo Varadkar (Enterprise, Trade and Employment) Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht In office 14 June 2017 – 30 November 2017 Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Preceded by Herself (under old title) Succeeded by Josepha Madigan Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs In office 6 May 2016 – 14 June 2017 Taoiseach Enda Kenny Preceded by Herself (under old title) Succeeded by Herself (with new title) Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht In office 11 July 2014 – 6 May 2016 Taoiseach Enda Kenny Preceded by Jimmy Deenihan Succeeded by Herself (with new title)
Teachta Dála
In office February 2011 – November 2024
Constituency	Cavan–Monaghan
Monaghan County Councillor
In office 2003–2011
Constituency	Clones
Personal details
Born	Heather Maud Stewart 1960 (age 64–65) Drum, County Monaghan, Ireland
Political party	Fine Gael
Spouse	Eric Humphreys ​ (m. 1996)​
Children	2
Education	St. Aidan's Comprehensive School
Alma mater	University College Galway

Heather Maud Humphreys, born in 1960, is an Irish politician from the Fine Gael party. She held several important government jobs between 2014 and 2025. She was a Teachta Dála (TD), which is like a member of parliament, for the Cavan–Monaghan area from 2011 to 2024. She also served as the deputy leader of her party, Fine Gael, from April to October 2024. Heather Humphreys was nominated by Fine Gael to run for President of Ireland in the 2025 Irish presidential election.

Her Early Life and Education

Heather Maud Stewart was born in 1960 in the village of Drum, in County Monaghan, Ireland. She grew up in a family with a strong sense of Irish identity. She has proudly described herself as an Irish republican.

Humphreys went to St. Aidan's Comprehensive School in Cootehill, County Cavan. After that, she studied at University College, Galway (UCG). In 1978, she started working at Ulster Bank. Later, she worked at a local Credit Union. From 1999 until 2011, she was the manager of Cootehill Credit Union.

Starting Her Political Journey

In 2003, Heather Humphreys joined the Monaghan County Council. She was later voted in by the people in the 2004 and 2009 local elections. In 2009, she became the Mayor of Monaghan County. While on the council, she led a committee that planned for the area's growth and economy.

Humphreys was elected as a Fine Gael TD for Cavan–Monaghan in the 2011 general election. She was the only Presbyterian member of the Oireachtas (the Irish parliament) during her time there.

Important Government Roles

After some time as a regular member of parliament, Humphreys was appointed Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in July 2014. She faced questions about a decision she made regarding an appointment to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). She later said she regretted how that decision was handled.

When preparing for the 100-year anniversary of the Easter Rising in 2016, she shared her thoughts. She said, "Given my background as a Protestant and an Ulsterwoman who is a proud Irish republican, I appreciate the need to respect the differing traditions on this island."

In March 2016, Humphreys made a decision about redeveloping buildings on Moore Street. This street is important to Irish history because some leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising met there for the last time before a very sad event. Her decision was later discussed in court, and her choice was supported.

Following the creation of a new government in May 2016, she was given an expanded role. She became the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. In July 2017, she was appointed Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in the government led by Leo Varadkar.

Humphreys in Áras an Uachtaráin alongside Josepha Madigan after being appointed as a government minister by President Michael D. Higgins

On November 30, 2017, she became Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. She took over from Frances Fitzgerald, who had resigned a few days earlier.

On June 27, 2020, she was appointed Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development. This was in the government led by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. She also temporarily served as Minister for Justice from April 27, 2021, to November 1, 2021, and again in November 2022, while Helen McEntee was on maternity leave.

On December 17, 2022, she was re-appointed to her roles as Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development. This happened after Leo Varadkar became Taoiseach again. The temporary role of Minister for Justice was then given to Simon Harris.

On January 27, 2024, she was chosen to help lead Fine Gael's campaign for important public votes (referendums) on Family and Care.

On April 5, 2024, she was appointed as the Deputy leader of Fine Gael.

On October 19, 2024, Humphreys announced she did not run in the 2024 general election. She explained that she would be 65 soon and felt she wouldn't be able to continue in politics for another full term. She also stepped down as the deputy leader of Fine Gael.

Running for President in 2025

2025 Heather Humphreys presidential campaign

Campaigned for	President of Ireland in the 2025 Irish presidential election
Candidate	Heather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development (2020–2025)
Affiliation	Fine Gael
Status	Announcement: 19 August 2025 Nominated by Fine Gael: 2 September 2025 Campaign launch: 13 September 2025

Humphreys first said she would not seek the nomination when Fine Gael began looking for a candidate for the 2025 Irish presidential election. However, after another person, Mairead McGuinness, decided not to run, Humphreys announced on August 19, 2025, that she would seek Fine Gael's nomination for president. On September 2, Fine Gael confirmed Humphreys as their chosen candidate for the presidential election. Important political figures, including former Tánaistí (Deputy Prime Ministers) Frances FitzGerald and Mary Harney, supported her campaign.

On September 13, 2025, Humphreys officially started her national campaign at an event in her home county of Monaghan. She chose this location because it matched her goal for the presidency: to bring people together and build understanding. Her campaign slogan is "a president for all." She is focusing on helping different groups in Ireland, like the Irish nationalist community in the Republic of Ireland and the Ulster unionist community in Northern Ireland, to understand each other better. Her main goals are to include everyone, promote unity, and strengthen communities. She uses her unique background, being from a Protestant family in Ulster and also a proud Irish nationalist, to show that she can connect with and understand people from all backgrounds. She campaigned on improving connections between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and also pledged her support for a united Ireland.