Séamus Kirk facts for kids

Séamus Kirk was born on April 26, 1945. He is a former Irish politician from the Fianna Fáil party. He served as the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 2009 to 2011. The Ceann Comhairle is like the chairperson or speaker of the Dáil, which is the main part of the Irish Parliament. Séamus Kirk was also a Minister of State from 1987 to 1992. He was a Teachta Dála (TD), which is a member of the Dáil, representing the Louth area from 1982 until 2016.

About Séamus Kirk

Séamus Kirk was born in Drumkeith, a place in County Louth. He is married to Mary McGeough, and they have four children. They live in Knockbridge, also in County Louth. He went to school in Dundalk. Before he became a politician, he worked as a farmer and an adviser for farming. He also played football for the Louth county team.

His Political Journey

Séamus Kirk started his political career in local government. He was a member of the Louth County Council from 1974 to 1985. He was first elected to the Dáil Éireann in November 1982. He continued to be elected in every election until he decided to retire from politics.

From 1987 to 1992, Séamus Kirk was a Minister of State for Agriculture and Food. He was the first Minister for Horticulture in Ireland. During this time, he helped create an organization called Bord Glas in 1990. Its goal was to help grow Ireland's fruit and vegetable farming.

He became the Ceann Comhairle on October 13, 2009. He took over from John O'Donoghue, who had resigned from the role. Séamus Kirk was chosen for this important job by the then-leader of the government, Brian Cowen. He won the vote against another politician, Dinny McGinley.

In September 2014, Séamus Kirk announced that he would not run in the 2016 general election. This meant he was retiring from his role as a TD. Another politician from his party, Declan Breathnach, won the seat for Louth in that election.

Séamus Kirk has always been very involved in the GAA in Louth. He is a member of The Brides club in Knockbridge. He also served on the Louth GAA Committee, which helped raise money and develop the Darver Project. This project created a training pitch for all GAA teams in County Louth. He has also supported the Knockbridge Tidy Towns group and a group that remembers those who fought in important Irish historical events.

Sporting Achievements

Séamus Kirk had several achievements in football:

• O'Byrne Cup: 1963
• Leinster Junior Football Championship: 1966
• Cardinal O'Donnell Cup: 1968
• Louth Junior Football Championship: 1967
• Ranafast Cup: 1964