Fintan Coogan was a Fine Gael

Fine Gael

Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...

 politician from Galway

Galway

Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...

 in Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

. A blacksmith before entering politics, he was a Teachta Dála

Teachta Dála

A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...

 (TD) for over twenty years, and served three times as Mayor of Galway

Mayor of Galway

The office of Mayor of Galway is an honorific title used by the of Galway City Council. The Council has jurisdiction throughout its administrative area which is the city of Galway – the largest city in the province of Connacht, in the Republic of Ireland. The office was originally established by a...

.

Coogan unsuccessfully contested the 1951 general election

Irish general election, 1951

The Irish general election of 1951 was held on 30 May 1951. The newly elected members of the 14th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 13 June when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....

 in Galway West constituency, but won a seat in Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...

 at the 1954 general election

Irish general election, 1954

The Irish general election of 1954 was held on 18 May 1954. The newly elected members of the 15th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 2 June when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....

. He was re-elected five times until his defeat at the 1977 general election

Irish general election, 1977

The Irish general election of 1977 was held on 16 June 1977 and is regarded as a pivotal point in twentieth century Irish politics. The general election took place in 42 parliamentary constituencies throughout Ireland for 148 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann. The number of...

 by his party colleague John Mannion

John Mannion, Jnr

John Martin Mannion was an Irish Fine Gael party politician from Clifden, County Galway. He was a Teachta Dála for four years and a senator for 10 years....

.

A long-serving member of both Galway County Council

Galway County Council

Galway County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Galway in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The county seat is at Galway County Hall in Galway...

 and Galway City Council

Galway City Council

Galway City Council is the local authority for the city of Galway, Ireland. Previously Galway Corporation, it was founded in 1485 by The Tribes of Galway via a Charter of Mayoralty granted to the town in December 1484 by King Richard III. The first Mayor of Galway was Peirce Lynch...

, Coogan served as mayor of Galway

Galway

Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...

 city from 1961 to 1962, 1969 to 1970 and 1974 to 1975. He was a member of the Western Health Board from 1979 until his death, when he was succeeded on the board by his son Fintan Coogan, Jnr

Fintan Coogan, Jnr

Fintan Coogan is a former Fine Gael politician from Galway in Ireland. He was a Teachta Dála for five years, a senator for five years, and was twice Mayor of Galway.- Family and early life :...

, who was then both a TD and a county councillor, and also served several terms as Mayor of Galway.