Seán MacEntee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Seán MacEntee
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MacEntee circa 1920s
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| Tánaiste | |
| In office 23 June 1959 – 21 April 1965 |
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| Taoiseach | Seán Lemass |
| Preceded by | Seán Lemass |
| Succeeded by | Frank Aiken |
| Minister for Social Welfare | |
| In office 27 November 1957 – 12 October 1961 |
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| Taoiseach | Seán Lemass |
| Preceded by | Paddy Smith |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Boland |
| Minister for Health | |
| In office 20 March 1957 – 21 April 1965 |
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| Taoiseach | Seán Lemass |
| Preceded by | Tom O'Higgins |
| Succeeded by | Donogh O'Malley |
| Minister for Local Government and Public Health | |
| In office 18 August 1941 – 18 February 1948 |
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| Taoiseach | Éamon de Valera |
| Preceded by | Éamon de Valera |
| Succeeded by | Timothy J. Murphy (Local Government) |
| Minister for Industry and Commerce | |
| In office 16 September 1939 – 18 August 1941 |
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| Taoiseach | Éamon de Valera |
| Preceded by | Éamon de Valera |
| Succeeded by | Timothy J. Murphy |
| Minister for Finance | |
| In office 13 June 1951 – 2 June 1954 |
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| Taoiseach | Éamon de Valera |
| Preceded by | Patrick McGilligan |
| Succeeded by | Gerard Sweetman |
| In office 9 March 1932 – 16 September 1939 |
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| Taoiseach | Éamon de Valera |
| Preceded by | Ernest Blythe |
| Succeeded by | Seán T. O'Kelly |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office February 1948 – June 1969 |
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| Constituency | Dublin South-East |
| In office July 1937 – February 1948 |
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| Constituency | Dublin Townships |
| In office June 1927 – July 1937 |
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| Constituency | Dublin County |
| In office May 1921 – June 1922 |
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| Constituency | Monaghan |
| In office December 1918 – May 1921 |
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| Constituency | Monaghan South |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Francis McEntee
23 August 1889 Belfast, Ireland |
| Died | 9 January 1984 (aged 94) Booterstown, Dublin, Ireland |
| Resting place | Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Other political affiliations |
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| Spouse |
Margaret Browne
(m. 1921; died 1976) |
| Children | 3, including Máire |
| Education |
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| Alma mater |
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Seán Francis MacEntee (Irish: Seán Mac an tSaoi) was an important Irish politician. He was born on 23 August 1889 and passed away on 9 January 1984. He was a member of the Fianna Fáil political party.
MacEntee held many important jobs in the Irish government. He served as Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) from 1959 to 1965. He was also a Minister for Social Welfare, Minister for Health, Minister for Local Government and Public Health, Minister for Industry and Commerce, and Minister for Finance. He was a Teachta Dála (TD), which is a member of the Irish Parliament, for a very long time, from 1918 to 1969. When he died, he was the last living person who had been a member of the very first Irish Parliament, known as the First Dáil.
Contents
Early Life and Political Beginnings
Seán MacEntee was born John McEntee in Belfast on 23 August 1889. His parents, James and Mary, were from Monaghan. His father, James, was a well-known local politician who supported Irish independence.
MacEntee went to school at St Mary's Christian Brothers School and St Malachy's College. He then studied to become an electrical engineer at the Belfast Municipal College of Technology.
His interest in politics started early. He joined the Irish Socialist Republican Party in Belfast. He also became involved in trade unions, which are groups that protect workers' rights. After finishing his studies, MacEntee worked as an engineer in Dundalk, County Louth. There, he helped set up a local group of the Irish Volunteers.
Role in the Easter Rising
In 1916, MacEntee took part in the Easter Rising. This was an important rebellion against British rule in Ireland. He fought in the General Post Office in Dublin. For his part in the Rising, he was sentenced to death. However, his sentence was changed to life in prison.
He was released from prison in 1917. Soon after, he was elected to lead positions in both Sinn Féin and the Irish Volunteers. In the 1918 general election, MacEntee was elected as a Sinn Féin MP for Monaghan South.
Ireland's Fight for Independence
In 1919, the Irish War of Independence began. MacEntee's plans to work as an engineer in Belfast were put on hold. He became a Vice-Commander in the Belfast group of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). He was also part of the Volunteer Executive, which helped guide the IRA's leaders.
MacEntee was one of the few Sinn Féin members from the north of Ireland. In 1920, he spoke to the Dáil (the Irish Parliament). He told them about problems faced by Nationalists in Belfast. He encouraged the Dáil to take action.
The Anglo-Irish Treaty and Civil War
In 1921, MacEntee moved to Dublin. He worked on a campaign to oppose the partition of Ireland. This was a big issue at the time. Later that year, the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed. This agreement led to the creation of the Irish Free State. However, it also meant that Ireland would be divided.
MacEntee voted against the Treaty because he did not agree with the partition of Ireland. This led to the Irish Civil War. During the Civil War, MacEntee commanded an IRA unit in Dublin. He was later held in prisons like Kilmainham and Gormanstown until December 1923.
Becoming a Free State Politician
After being released from prison, MacEntee focused on his engineering work. However, he stayed involved in politics. In 1926, he helped create the Fianna Fáil political party. This party would become one of Ireland's most important. In 1927, he was elected as a TD for Dublin County.
MacEntee also founded the Association of Patent Agents in 1929. He had become interested in patents while working as an engineer. Even when he became a government minister, he kept his name on the Register of Patent Agents for over 30 years.
Key Roles in Government
In 1932, Fianna Fáil came into power for the first time. Seán MacEntee was given the important job of Minister for Finance.
The Economic War
As Minister for Finance, MacEntee introduced new taxes on many goods imported into Ireland. Many of these goods came from Britain. This led to a period called the Economic War between Ireland and Britain. Both countries put taxes on each other's goods. This economic conflict lasted until 1938, when a new agreement was signed.
In 1937, during debates about the Constitution of Ireland, MacEntee described it as 'the Constitution of a Catholic State'.
Minister for Industry and Commerce
In 1939, World War II started. MacEntee became Minister for Industry and Commerce. During this time, he introduced an important law called the Trade Union Act (1941).
Minister for Local Government and Public Health
In 1941, MacEntee became Minister for Local Government and Public Health. Later, in 1947, the health part of his job was moved to a new department. After the 1948 general election, Fianna Fáil lost power. This was the first time in sixteen years they were not in government.
Later Government Roles
Fianna Fáil returned to power in 1951. MacEntee once again became Minister for Finance.
Tackling Economic Challenges
During this time, Ireland faced economic problems. MacEntee believed it was important to fix the country's balance of payments deficit. He introduced a tough budget in 1951. This budget increased income tax and taxes on imports. His main goal was to cut government spending and reduce imports. However, these changes also led to a sharp increase in unemployment. These tax increases continued in his budgets for 1952 and 1953. Some people believe his actions during this time contributed to Fianna Fáil losing the 1954 general election.
Minister for Health and Tánaiste
In 1957, Fianna Fáil won the election with a large majority. MacEntee was appointed Minister for Health. During this period, he helped to reorganize Ireland's health services. He also oversaw the creation of separate government departments for health and social welfare. He is also remembered for bringing in the fluoridation of water supplies in Ireland.
In 1959, MacEntee became Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) when Seán Lemass became Taoiseach (Prime Minister).
Retirement and Legacy
After the 1965 general election, MacEntee, who was 76 years old, retired from the government. He continued to be active in politics for a few more years. He retired from the Dáil Éireann in 1969 at the age of 80. This made him the oldest TD in Irish history at that time.
Seán MacEntee passed away in Dublin on 9 January 1984, at the age of 94.
Family Life
In June 1921, Seán MacEntee married Margaret Browne (1893–1976). Margaret was a strong supporter of Irish nationalism. She later taught the Irish language at Alexandra College and UCD. Margaret had several famous brothers, including Cardinal Michael Browne and the poet Monsignor Pádraig de Brún.
Seán and Margaret had three children. One of their daughters was the well-known Irish poet Máire Mhac an tSaoi (1922 - 2021). She was married to the politician Conor Cruise O'Brien. Their other daughter was Barbara MacEntee-Biggar (1928–1995). She was married to Irish Ambassador Frank Biggar. Seán and Margaret also had a son, Seamus MacEntee (1924–2000), who became a psychiatrist and an artist.
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