Seán Flanagan
Encyclopedia
Seán Flanagan was an Fianna Fáil
politician and Gaelic football
er in Ireland
. He served under Taoiseach
Jack Lynch
as Minister for Health
(1966–1969) and Minister for Lands (1969–1973).
, County Mayo
in 1922. He was educated locally, then later at St. Jarlath's College
in Tuam
, County Galway
, where he showed enthusiasm for sport. He won two Connacht
championship medals with the college in 1939 and in 1940. He later studied at Clonliffe College in Dublin and then enrolled in University College Dublin
where he studied law and qualified as a solicitor.
for Mayo. He captained the All-Ireland final winning sides of 1950 and 1951 and won five Connacht
senior championship medals in all. He also won two National Football League titles in 1949 and 1954. While still a footballer, Flanagan entered into a career in politics. He came from a Fianna Fáil family and was recruited into the party in East Mayo. He was elected a Fianna Fáil TD
for Mayo East at the 1951 General Election
. He would retain his seat at each subsequent election until he lost his seat in 1977.
under Taoiseach
Seán Lemass
in 1959, before becoming Government Chief Whip
in 1961. In the Fianna Fáil leadership election
in 1966 Flanagan supported Jack Lynch
. When Lynch became Taoiseach Flanagan was promoted to the Cabinet as Minister for Health. Three years later in 1969 he became Minister for Lands. Flanagan lost his seat at the 1977 General Election
. He effectively retired from domestic politics; however, he was elected to the European Parliament
in the first direct elections
in 1979. He was re-elected in 1984
and retired from politics in 1989.
In recognition of his skills and long-running contribution to the sport, Flanagan was awarded the 1992 All-time all-star award
as no GAA All Stars Awards
were being issued at the time of his playing career. In 2000 he was honoured by the Gaelic Athletic Association
by being named on their Gaelic Football Team of the Millennium.
Seán Flanagan died on 4 February 1993, at the age of 71.
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 and 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 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...
. He served under Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
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....
as Minister for Health
Minister for Health and Children (Ireland)
The Minister for Health is the senior minister at the Department of Health in the Government of Ireland and is responsible for health care in the Republic of Ireland and related services.The current Minister for Health is James Reilly, TD...
(1966–1969) and Minister for Lands (1969–1973).
Early life and education
Seán Flanagan was born in Aughnamore, BallyhaunisBallyhaunis
Ballyhaunis is a town in County Mayo, Ireland. It is situated at the crossroads of the N60 and N83 National secondary roads and on the railway line connecting Dublin to Westport and Ballina....
, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
in 1922. He was educated locally, then later at St. Jarlath's College
St. Jarlath's College
St. Jarlath's College is a Roman Catholic secondary school for boys in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. It is an amalgamation of the former St. Jarlath's College and St...
in Tuam
Tuam
Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, where he showed enthusiasm for sport. He won two Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
championship medals with the college in 1939 and in 1940. He later studied at Clonliffe College in Dublin and then enrolled in University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
where he studied law and qualified as a solicitor.
Football career
Flanagan also played senior Gaelic footballGaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
for Mayo. He captained the All-Ireland final winning sides of 1950 and 1951 and won five Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
senior championship medals in all. He also won two National Football League titles in 1949 and 1954. While still a footballer, Flanagan entered into a career in politics. He came from a Fianna Fáil family and was recruited into the party in East Mayo. He was elected a Fianna Fáil TD
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 Mayo East at 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....
. He would retain his seat at each subsequent election until he lost his seat in 1977.
Political career
Flanagan rose rapidly through the party ranks and was appointed a Parliamentary SecretaryMinister of State (Ireland)
A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
under Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Seán Lemass
Seán Lemass
Seán Francis Lemass was one of the most prominent Irish politicians of the 20th century. He served as Taoiseach from 1959 until 1966....
in 1959, before becoming Government Chief Whip
Chief Whip
The Chief Whip is a political office in some legislatures assigned to an elected member whose task is to administer the whipping system that ensures that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires.-The Whips Office:...
in 1961. In the Fianna Fáil leadership election
Fianna Fáil leadership election, 1966
The 1966 Fianna Fáil leadership election in the Republic of Ireland began in October 1966 following the decision of Seán Lemass to resign as party leader and Taoiseach. Lemass had occupied both posts for over seven years and, while there was no pressure on him to resign, he felt that the time was...
in 1966 Flanagan supported 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....
. When Lynch became Taoiseach Flanagan was promoted to the Cabinet as Minister for Health. Three years later in 1969 he became Minister for Lands. Flanagan lost his seat 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...
. He effectively retired from domestic politics; however, he was elected to the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
in the first direct elections
European Parliament election, 1979 (Ireland)
The 1979 European Parliament election in Ireland was the Irish component of the 1979 European Parliament election. These were the first direct elections to the European Parliament...
in 1979. He was re-elected in 1984
European Parliament election, 1979 (Ireland)
The 1979 European Parliament election in Ireland was the Irish component of the 1979 European Parliament election. These were the first direct elections to the European Parliament...
and retired from politics in 1989.
In recognition of his skills and long-running contribution to the sport, Flanagan was awarded the 1992 All-time all-star award
GAA All-Time All-Star Award (Football)
The GAA All-Time All-Star Award in Football was an award given on an annual basis to a sportsperson who had made a long-running and considerable contribution to the sport of Gaelic football in Ireland...
as no GAA All Stars Awards
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
were being issued at the time of his playing career. In 2000 he was honoured by the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
by being named on their Gaelic Football Team of the Millennium.
Seán Flanagan died on 4 February 1993, at the age of 71.
External links
- Séan Flanagan's electoral history (ElectionsIreland.org)