Myra Barry
Encyclopedia
Myra Barry is a former Irish
Fine Gael
politician. A national school teacher by profession, she was first elected to Dáil Éireann
as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála
(TD) in a by-election in 1979 for the Cork North East
constituency, following the death of Fianna Fáil
TD Seán Brosnan
. It was one of two by-elections in County Cork
on the same day, both of which Fianna Fáil
lost. The double defeat in Jack Lynch
's native county was a factor in the lead up to Lynch's resignation on 5 December 1979 as leader of Fianna Fáil
.
Myra's father, Richard Barry was a sitting TD in the same constituency at the time of the by-election. This is the only time a parent and child have been represented for the same constituency in the same Dáil.
Barry was 22 years old at the time and one of the youngest ever TDs elected to the Dáil. She was re-elected at each successive election until she retired from politics at the 1987 general election
, after 8 years in the Dáil. She was then almost 30 years old.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
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. A national school teacher by profession, she was first elected to 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...
as a Fine Gael 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) in a by-election in 1979 for the Cork North East
Cork North East (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Cork North–East was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1961 to 1981. The constituency elected 5 deputies to the Dáil until 1969, and then 4 thereafter...
constituency, following the death of 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...
TD Seán Brosnan
Seán Brosnan
Seán Brosnan was an Irish barrister and Fianna Fáil politician from County Cork. He served for 10 years in the Oireachtas, as a Teachta Dála and as a Senator....
. It was one of two by-elections in County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
on the same day, both of which 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...
lost. The double defeat in 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....
's native county was a factor in the lead up to Lynch's resignation on 5 December 1979 as leader of 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...
.
Myra's father, Richard Barry was a sitting TD in the same constituency at the time of the by-election. This is the only time a parent and child have been represented for the same constituency in the same Dáil.
Barry was 22 years old at the time and one of the youngest ever TDs elected to the Dáil. She was re-elected at each successive election until she retired from politics at the 1987 general election
Irish general election, 1987
The Irish general election of 1987 was held on 17 February 1987, four weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 20 January. The newly-elected 166 members of the 25th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 10 March when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed.The general election took place in...
, after 8 years in the Dáil. She was then almost 30 years old.