Micheál Martin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Micheál Martin TD
Martin in 2025
Taoiseach
Incumbent
Assumed office 23 January 2025
President	Michael D. Higgins
Tánaiste	Simon Harris
Preceded by	Simon Harris
In office 27 June 2020 – 17 December 2022
President	Michael D. Higgins
Tánaiste	Leo Varadkar
Preceded by	Leo Varadkar
Succeeded by	Leo Varadkar
Tánaiste
In office 17 December 2022 – 23 January 2025
Taoiseach	Leo Varadkar Simon Harris
Preceded by	Leo Varadkar
Succeeded by	Simon Harris
Minister for Foreign Affairs
In office 17 December 2022 – 23 January 2025
Taoiseach	Leo Varadkar Simon Harris
Preceded by	Simon Coveney
Succeeded by	Simon Harris
In office 7 May 2008 – 18 January 2011
Taoiseach	Brian Cowen
Preceded by	Dermot Ahern
Succeeded by	Brian Cowen (acting)
Minister for Defence
In office 17 December 2022 – 23 January 2025
Taoiseach	Leo Varadkar Simon Harris
Preceded by	Simon Coveney
Succeeded by	Simon Harris
Leader of Fianna Fáil
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 January 2011
Deputy	Jack Chambers
Preceded by	Brian Cowen
Leader of the Opposition
In office 9 March 2011 – 27 June 2020
President	Mary McAleese Michael D. Higgins
Taoiseach	Enda Kenny Leo Varadkar
Preceded by	Enda Kenny
Succeeded by	Mary Lou McDonald
Further ministerial offices Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Acting 21 August 2020 – 2 September 2020 Taoiseach Himself Preceded by Dara Calleary Succeeded by Charlie McConalogue Acting 14 July 2020 – 15 July 2020 Taoiseach Himself Preceded by Barry Cowen Succeeded by Dara Calleary Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment In office 29 September 2004 – 7 May 2008 Taoiseach Bertie Ahern Preceded by Mary Harney Succeeded by Mary Coughlan Minister for Health and Children In office 27 January 2000 – 29 September 2004 Taoiseach Bertie Ahern Preceded by Brian Cowen Succeeded by Mary Harney Minister for Education and Science In office 26 June 1997 – 27 January 2000 Taoiseach Bertie Ahern Preceded by Niamh Bhreathnach Succeeded by Michael Woods
Lord Mayor of Cork
In office 20 June 1992 – 21 June 1993
Preceded by	Denis Cregan
Succeeded by	John Murray
Teachta Dála
Incumbent
Assumed office June 1989
Constituency	Cork South-Central
Personal details
Born	(1960-08-16) 16 August 1960 (age 64) Cork, Ireland
Political party	Fianna Fáil
Spouse	Mary O'Shea ​ (m. 1990)​
Children	5, including Micheál
Education	Coláiste Chríost Rí
Alma mater	University College Cork

Micheál Martin (born 16 August 1960) is an Irish politician who is currently serving as Taoiseach (Prime Minister) since January 2025. He previously held this top role from 2020 to 2022. He also served as Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence from December 2022 to January 2025.

Micheál Martin has been the leader of the Fianna Fáil political party since January 2011. He has been a TD (a member of the Irish Parliament) for the Cork South-Central area since 1989. Before becoming Taoiseach, he was the Leader of the Opposition from 2011 to 2020. He also held several important government jobs under previous Taoiseachs, Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen.

Born in Cork, Martin first worked as a teacher. He entered politics by being elected to the Cork City Council in 1985. He later served as the Lord Mayor of Cork from 1992 to 1993.

Early Life and Start in Politics

Micheál Martin was born on 16 August 1960 in Cork. He grew up in the Turners Cross area. His father, Paddy Martin, was a former soldier, bus driver, and boxer. His mother was Eileen "Lana" Corbett. Micheál was the third of five children. His older brother, Seán, and twin brother, Pádraig, also became involved in local politics in Cork.

Martin went to Coláiste Chríost Rí for school. He then studied arts at University College Cork. While at university, he became very active in politics, joining the youth group of the Fianna Fáil party. After university, he earned a master's degree in political history and became a history teacher.

From Teacher to Politician

Micheál Martin's teaching career was short. After just one year, he became a full-time politician. He was elected to the Cork City Council in 1985 as a Fianna Fáil candidate. This local role helped him prepare for national politics.

In 1989, he was elected to Dáil Éireann, the Irish Parliament, representing Cork South-Central. He has been re-elected in every election since then. In his early years as a TD, he worked on committees dealing with crime, finance, and the Irish language. He also served as Lord Mayor of Cork in 1992.

Important Roles in Government

When Fianna Fáil won the 1997 general election, Micheál Martin was appointed Minister for Education and Science. He was 36, making him the youngest member of the government at the time. During his time in this role, more money was spent on education, and new programs were started, like reviewing the primary school curriculum.

Minister for Health and Children

In 2000, Martin became Minister for Health and Children. This was a challenging job. One of his most notable achievements was introducing a ban on tobacco smoking in all Irish workplaces, including pubs and restaurants. This ban came into effect on 29 March 2004, making Ireland the first country in the world to have such a widespread workplace smoking ban. He also created the Health Service Executive (HSE) to manage the country's health system.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

In 2004, Martin became Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. In this role, he focused on business and trade. He removed a law that prevented shops from selling groceries below cost price, which helped lower prices for consumers.

Minister for Foreign Affairs

In May 2008, Martin became Minister for Foreign Affairs. One of his first tasks was dealing with a public vote on the Treaty of Lisbon, a European Union agreement.

In 2009, he became the first Irish foreign minister to visit Latin America, including a historic official visit to Cuba. He also visited Khartoum to discuss international issues. As Foreign Minister, Martin was critical of the blockade of Gaza. He visited Gaza in February 2010, becoming the first Western foreign minister to do so since 2007. He called for the blockade to be lifted to help people in the area.

Leading Fianna Fáil

In January 2011, Micheál Martin resigned as Foreign Minister. Soon after, the leader of Fianna Fáil, Brian Cowen, also stepped down. Martin then announced he would seek to become the new leader. On 26 January 2011, he was elected the eighth leader of Fianna Fáil.

He led the party into the 2011 general election. This election was very difficult for Fianna Fáil, as the party lost many seats. However, Martin remained as leader and worked to rebuild the party.

At the 2016 general election, Fianna Fáil's performance improved significantly, winning more seats. Martin continued to serve as Leader of the Opposition.

Becoming Taoiseach

Micheál Martin led his party in the 2020 general election. Fianna Fáil became the largest party in the Dáil by a small margin. After long discussions, he was appointed Taoiseach on 27 June 2020. This was a historic moment because Fianna Fáil formed a government with their long-time rivals, Fine Gael, and the Green Party. It was the first time these two main parties had governed together.

Under their agreement, Martin served as Taoiseach for the first half of the five-year term. His predecessor, Leo Varadkar, became Tánaiste. Martin stepped down as Taoiseach on 17 December 2022, allowing Varadkar to take over the role as planned.

In the 2024 general election, Fianna Fáil again won the most seats. Micheál Martin was appointed Taoiseach for a second time on 23 January 2025, after a new government was formed with Fine Gael and some independent TDs.

International Engagements as Taoiseach

Martin with Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin in Helsinki, Finland in April 2022

In July 2022, Martin made an official visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, during the ongoing conflict there. This was the first time an Irish Taoiseach had visited Ukraine. He expressed Ireland's support for Ukraine joining the European Union.

Martin with U.S. President Joe Biden virtually on St Patrick's Day in 2022

In March 2022, Martin tested positive for COVID-19 while in Washington, D.C., for St Patrick's Day. This meant he had to meet U.S. President Joe Biden virtually instead of in person.

Tánaiste and Other Roles (2022–2025)

Martin meets with U.S. president Joe Biden at Carlingford Castle in April 2023

On 17 December 2022, after stepping down as Taoiseach, Martin was appointed Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister). He also took on the roles of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence in the new government led by Leo Varadkar.

In April 2023, Martin met with U.S. President Joe Biden during Biden's visit to Ireland. They toured Carlingford Castle and Dundalk in County Louth.

In March 2024, Martin spoke out against the blockade of Gaza, stating that "The use of starvation as a weapon of war is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law."

Taoiseach (2025–present)

U.S President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance meet with Micheál Martin in the Oval Office

After the 2024 Irish general election, Micheál Martin was re-elected to the Dáil. He was named "Politician of the Year" by The Journal for his work and election results. On 23 January 2025, he was elected Taoiseach again by a vote in the Dáil, following a new agreement between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and some independent TDs.

In March 2025, Martin condemned renewed attacks in the Gaza Strip and urged all sides to respect the ceasefire and agreements to release hostages.

Personal Life

Martin with his wife Mary upon becoming Taoiseach for a second time in 2025

Micheál Martin met Mary O'Shea at university, and they married in 1990. They have three children: Cillian, Aoibhe, and Micheál Aodh, who is a Gaelic football goalkeeper.

Images for kids

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  Martin with US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez in 2005

• 

  Martin with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine in July 2022

See also

In Spanish: Micheál Martin para niños