John P. Wilson
Encyclopedia
John Patrick Wilson was an Irish Fianna Fáil
politician. He was first elected as a Teachta Dála
for Cavan
in 1973 and served in Dáil Éireann
until 1992. Wilson served variously as Minister for Education, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Minister for Tourism and Transport and Tánaiste
.
in 1923. He was educated at St. Mel's College
in Longford
, the University of London
and the National University of Ireland
. He graduated with a Master of Arts
in Classics and a Higher Diploma in Education. He was a secondary school teacher at St. Eunan's College
and Gonzaga College
and also a university lecturer at University College Dublin (UCD) before he became involved in politics. Wilson was also a Gaelic football
er for Cavan
and won two All-Ireland
medals with the team; one in 1947 in the Polo Grounds, New York. He was a member of the teachers trade union, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and served as president of the association.
at the 1973 General Election
for the constituency of Cavan
, for Cavan–Monaghan
in 1977 and at each subsequent election until his retirement after the dissolution of the 26th Dail in 1992. In 1977 Jack Lynch
appointed Wilson to Cabinet as Minister for Education. He went on to serve in each Fianna Fáil government until his retirement, serving under three Taoisigh, Jack Lynch, Charles Haughey
and Albert Reynolds
.
In 1990 Wilson challenged Brian Lenihan for the Fianna Fáil
nomination for the 1990 Presidential Election
. Lenihan succeeded but failed to be elected President
and was also sacked from the government. Wilson was then appointed Tánaiste
. He remained in the cabinet until retirement in 1993. (Although the 26th Dail was dissolved in December 1992, Wilson served in Government until the new government took office).
by Bertie Ahern
. This position entails involvement with members of the Provisional IRA to assist in finding the bodies of the disappeared who were murdered by the Provisional IRA during The Troubles
.
He died on 9 July 2007.
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
politician. He was first elected as 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...
for Cavan
Cavan (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Cavan was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1921 to 1977. The method of election was the single transferable vote form of proportional representation .- History :...
in 1973 and served 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...
until 1992. Wilson served variously as Minister for Education, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Minister for Tourism and Transport and Tánaiste
Tánaiste
The Tánaiste is the deputy prime minister of Ireland. The current Tánaiste is Eamon Gilmore, TD who was appointed on 9 March 2011.- Origins and etymology :...
.
Early life and Gaelic football
John Wilson was born in Mullahoran, County CavanCounty Cavan
County Cavan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Cavan. Cavan County Council is the local authority for the county...
in 1923. He was educated at St. Mel's College
St. Mel's College
St. Mel's College is a school in Longford, Ireland. It opened in September 1865 with 48 boarders and 25 dayboys. Fr. James Reynolds was the first president. Previously he had been Superior of St. Mel's Day School in the Market Square....
in Longford
Longford
Longford is the county town of County Longford in Ireland. It has a population of 7,622 according to the 2006 census. Approximately one third of the county's population resides in the town. Longford town is also the biggest town in the county...
, the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
and the National University of Ireland
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
. He graduated with a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (Oxbridge)
In the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin, Bachelors of Arts of these universities are admitted to the degree of Master of Arts or Master in Arts on application after six or seven years' seniority as members of the university .There is no examination or study required for the degree...
in Classics and a Higher Diploma in Education. He was a secondary school teacher at St. Eunan's College
St. Eunan's College
Saint Eunan's College is an all-male voluntary secondary school. Located in Glencar, Letterkenny , County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland, the building is a three-storey castle with four round towers at each corner of the building. The school is named after the Abbot of Iona St...
and Gonzaga College
Gonzaga College
Gonzaga College is a private Roman Catholic boys' secondary school in Ranelagh, Dublin, Ireland , under the trusteeship of the Society of Jesus . Founded in 1950, the curriculum is traditional, with a broad general programme of subjects including Latin and Greek at junior cycle and the opportunity...
and also a university lecturer at University College Dublin (UCD) before he became involved in politics. Wilson was also a Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er for Cavan
Cavan GAA
The Cavan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Cavan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Cavan...
and won two All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
medals with the team; one in 1947 in the Polo Grounds, New York. He was a member of the teachers trade union, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and served as president of the association.
Political career
Wilson was first elected to Dáil ÉireannDáil 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 1973 General Election
Irish general election, 1973
The Irish general election of 1973 was held on 28 February 1973. The newly elected 144 members of the 20th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 4 March when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
for the constituency of Cavan
Cavan (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Cavan was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1921 to 1977. The method of election was the single transferable vote form of proportional representation .- History :...
, for Cavan–Monaghan
Cavan–Monaghan (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Cavan–Monaghan is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
in 1977 and at each subsequent election until his retirement after the dissolution of the 26th Dail in 1992. In 1977 Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
appointed Wilson to Cabinet as Minister for Education. He went on to serve in each Fianna Fáil government until his retirement, serving under three Taoisigh, Jack Lynch, Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
and Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds , served as Taoiseach of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize...
.
In 1990 Wilson challenged Brian Lenihan for the Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
nomination for the 1990 Presidential Election
Irish presidential election, 1990
-Aftermath:While the role of the presidency in day to day politics is a very limited one the Robinson presidency is regarded by many observers as a watershed in Irish society symbolising the shift away from the conservative ultracatholic male-dominated Ireland which existed up until the end of the...
. Lenihan succeeded but failed to be elected President
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
and was also sacked from the government. Wilson was then appointed Tánaiste
Tánaiste
The Tánaiste is the deputy prime minister of Ireland. The current Tánaiste is Eamon Gilmore, TD who was appointed on 9 March 2011.- Origins and etymology :...
. He remained in the cabinet until retirement in 1993. (Although the 26th Dail was dissolved in December 1992, Wilson served in Government until the new government took office).
Retirement
Following his retirement from politics Wilson was appointed the Commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' RemainsIndependent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains was established by treaty between the United Kingdom Government and the Government of Ireland, made on 27 April 1999 in connection with the affairs of Northern Ireland....
by Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
. This position entails involvement with members of the Provisional IRA to assist in finding the bodies of the disappeared who were murdered by the Provisional IRA during The Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
.
He died on 9 July 2007.
See also
- Families in the OireachtasFamilies in the OireachtasThere is a tradition in Irish politics of having family members succeed each other, frequently in the same parliamentary seat. This article lists families where two or more members of that family have been members of either of the houses of the Oireachtas or of the European Parliament...
– Diarmuid WilsonDiarmuid WilsonDiarmuid Wilson is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and member of Seanad Éireann, elected by the Administrative Panel since September 2002....
, a nephew, is currently a member of Seanad ÉireannSeanad ÉireannSeanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
.