John Donnellan facts for kids

John F. Donnellan (born 27 March 1937) is an Irish former politician and a talented sportsman. He was a member of the Irish Parliament, called a Teachta Dála (TD), for 25 years. He also served as a Minister of State from 1982 to 1987. John Donnellan was a great Gaelic football player. He played for his local club, Dunmore McHales. He also played for the Galway county team in the 1960s.

Early Life and Family

John Donnellan was born in Dunmore, County Galway, Ireland, in 1937. His family had a strong history in both Gaelic games and Irish politics.

His father, Michael Donnellan, was also a famous person. He won an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (SFC) medal with Galway in 1925. Later, Michael became a TD for a political party called Clann na Talmhan.

John Donnellan followed in his father's footsteps. He became successful in both sports and politics. John's son, Michael, also played football for Galway. He won All-Ireland SFC medals in 1998 and 2001.

Playing Career

Club Football Success

Donnellan played football for his local club, Dunmore McHales. The club is located in the north of County Galway. He had many successful years with his club.

• In 1961, he won his first senior county championship.
• In 1962, Donnellan won a county league medal.
• In 1963, he won a second county championship title. This win also led to a Connacht club football championship.
• In 1966, his club won both the county league and the county championship.
• He continued his success by winning back-to-back county championships and Connacht club titles in 1968 and 1969.

Inter-County Football Achievements

Donnellan started playing for the Galway county team in the late 1950s.

• In 1958, he won an All-Ireland Junior Football Championship title with the Galway junior team. He quickly joined the senior team.
• In 1960, Donnellan won his first Connacht title. However, Galway lost in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final.
• In 1963, he won a second provincial title. But Dublin defeated Galway in the All-Ireland SFC final.

Captain of Galway Team

In 1964, Donnellan became the captain of the Galway team.

• That year, he won a third Connacht title.
• He led his team in the All-Ireland final against Kerry.
• Galway won by five points, and Donnellan earned his first All-Ireland SFC medal.
• Sadly, after lifting the Sam Maguire Cup, he learned his father had passed away during the game.

Three All-Ireland Titles in a Row

John Donnellan continued to achieve great things with Galway.

• In 1965, he won a fourth provincial medal.
• In the All-Ireland final against Kerry, he was sent off the field. But Galway still won, giving Donnellan his second All-Ireland medal in a row.
• The next year, 1966, he won a fifth Connacht Championship title.
• Galway then played in their fourth All-Ireland final in a row. They beat Meath by six points.
• This win gave Donnellan his third All-Ireland SFC medal in a row. This made the Galway team one of the best ever.
• In 1967, he won a Railway Cup medal with Connacht.
• In 1968, he won his sixth and final provincial medal.
• Donnellan stopped playing inter-county football soon after.

Political Career

John Donnellan's political career began after his father's sudden death in September 1964.

Becoming a Teachta Dála

• In December 1964, John was elected to Dáil Éireann (the Irish Parliament). This happened in a special election called a by-election for the Galway East area.
• He was elected as a Fine Gael party member.
• He was successfully re-elected in the next eight general elections.
• His constituency changed over time: to Galway North-East in 1969, back to Galway East in 1977, and then to Galway West from 1981 to 1989.

Minister of State Roles

In December 1982, Garret FitzGerald appointed John Donnellan as a Minister of State.

• He was first a Minister of State for Posts and Telegraphs and for Transport.
• In 1983, his roles changed. He became Minister of State at the Department of Health and at the Department of Social Welfare.
• In these roles, he focused on public health and social welfare information.
• He served until the Fine Gael party left office after the 1987 general election.

Later Political Life

In April 1988, Donnellan was removed from his party's group in parliament. This happened after he criticized the party leader, Alan Dukes. Donnellan decided to retire from politics at the 1989 general election.

See also

• Families in the Oireachtas