Patrick Hillery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patrick Hillery
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Hillery in the Netherlands, November 1986
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| 6th President of Ireland | |
| In office 3 December 1976 – 2 December 1990 |
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| Taoiseach | Liam Cosgrave Jack Lynch Charles Haughey Garret FitzGerald |
| Preceded by | Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh |
| Succeeded by | Mary Robinson |
| Vice-President of the European Commission | |
| In office 6 January 1973 – 5 January 1977 |
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| President | François-Xavier Ortoli |
| Preceded by | Wilhelm Haferkamp |
| Succeeded by | Wilhelm Haferkamp |
| European Commissioner for Social Affairs | |
| In office 6 January 1973 – 2 December 1976 |
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| President | François-Xavier Ortoli |
| Preceded by | Albert Coppé |
| Succeeded by | Henk Vredeling |
| Minister for External Affairs | |
| In office 2 July 1969 – 3 January 1973 |
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| Taoiseach | Jack Lynch |
| Preceded by | Frank Aiken |
| Succeeded by | Brian Lenihan |
| Minister for Labour | |
| In office 13 July 1966 – 2 July 1969 |
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| Taoiseach |
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| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Brennan |
| Minister for Industry and Commerce | |
| In office 21 April 1965 – 13 July 1966 |
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| Taoiseach | Seán Lemass |
| Preceded by | Jack Lynch |
| Succeeded by | George Colley |
| Minister for Education | |
| In office 23 June 1959 – 21 April 1965 |
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| Taoiseach | Seán Lemass |
| Preceded by | Jack Lynch |
| Succeeded by | George Colley |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office May 1951 – 6 January 1973 |
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| Constituency | Clare |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Patrick John Hillery
2 May 1923 Spanish Point, Clare, Ireland |
| Died | 12 April 2008 (aged 84) Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland |
| Resting place | St. Fintan's Cemetery, Sutton, Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouses | Maeve Finnegan (m. 1955) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
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| Alma mater |
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Dr. Patrick John Hillery (born May 2, 1923 – died April 12, 2008) was an important Irish politician. He was the sixth President of Ireland from 1976 to 1990.
Hillery was first elected to Dáil Éireann (the Irish parliament) in 1951. He represented County Clare for the Fianna Fáil party. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) until 1973. During this time, he held several important government jobs:
- Minister for Education (1959–1965)
- Minister for Industry & Commerce (1965–1966)
- Minister for Labour (1966–1969)
- Minister for External Affairs (1969–1973)
He was also Ireland's first European Commissioner. He served in Europe for three years before becoming President in 1976. He was elected President without anyone running against him both times.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Patrick John Hillery was born in Spanish Point, County Clare, in 1923. People often called him Paddy Hillery. He studied medicine at University College Dublin.
In 1947, he became a doctor in his hometown, just like his father. He also worked as a coroner for West Clare for a year. A coroner investigates deaths to find out why they happened.
Hillery married Mary Beatrice (Maeve) Finnegan on October 27, 1955. They had a son named John and a daughter named Vivienne. Sadly, Vivienne passed away in 1985, just before her eighteenth birthday.
Becoming a Government Minister
In 1951, Éamon de Valera, a famous Irish leader, asked Hillery to join him in the general election. Hillery won his first election and became a TD. He became a government minister after de Valera retired in 1959.
Key Roles as Minister
As Minister for Education, Hillery helped create new types of schools. These included comprehensive schools and Regional Technical Colleges. These schools offered a wider range of subjects to students.
After another election win in 1969, Hillery became Minister for External Affairs. This job was later renamed Minister for Foreign Affairs. It was one of the most important jobs in the government.
After an event called "Bloody Sunday" in 1972, he went to the United Nations in New York. He asked for the UN to help keep peace in Northern Ireland. In 1972, he also helped Ireland join the European Economic Community (EEC). This was a group of European countries working together. Ireland officially joined in 1973.
Working in Europe
Because Ireland successfully joined the EEC, Hillery was chosen for a big role. He became the first Irishman to serve on the European Commission. This is like the government of the European Union. He was also made Vice-President of the Commission. He was in charge of Social Affairs.
One of his most famous policies was making sure women in EEC countries got equal pay. This meant women should be paid the same as men for doing the same job.
In 1976, the new Irish government said they would not keep him in his European role. Hillery thought about going back to being a doctor. He even considered moving to Africa with his wife, Maeve, who was also a doctor.
President of Ireland
When President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh resigned, Hillery agreed to become the candidate for Fianna Fáil. He was elected without anyone else running against him. He became President of Ireland on December 3, 1976.
After 1982, people saw him as a very good and honest President. Before that, some thought he was a bit boring. In 1982, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), Garret FitzGerald, lost a vote in Dáil Éireann. Dr. FitzGerald asked the President for a new general election.
As President, Hillery did not have to agree to this. If he didn't agree, Dr. FitzGerald would have had to resign. This might have led to Charles Haughey becoming Taoiseach. Hillery believed a new election was the best choice. Many people from his own political party tried to convince him not to call an election.
President Hillery refused to talk to any opposition politicians. When Charles Haughey, who was the Leader of the Opposition, called the President's Office, Hillery gave clear orders not to put the call through. He even protected an army officer who followed his orders. The next day, Hillery, as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, ordered the Chief of Staff to make sure no politician ever harmed the young officer's career.
In 1983, Hillery was elected President again without any opposition. He left office in 1990 after serving the maximum two terms. He was highly praised for his honesty and dedication. He returned to public life briefly in 2002. He encouraged people to vote "yes" in a referendum about the Nice Treaty, which was a European agreement. The "yes" vote won.
Images for kids
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Hillery's Pub on Main Street, Milltown Malbay
See also
In Spanish: Patrick Hillery para niños
