Meet Cathal
Cathal has been involved in politics since his youth and was first elected at the age of 21 to Clare County Council – the youngest councilor in the country at that time. Cathal retained his seat right up until his election to Dáil Éireann in February 2020, at which point he was serving as Cathaoirleach (Mayor) of Clare. A strong advocate for sustainable rural development, Cathal is also a passionate historian and during his years working as a primary school teacher in Parteen NS, embarked on many history projects with his pupils, including reuniting families with long lost war medals that he found in auctions. A lifelong aviation fanatic, Cathal is Fianna Fáil’s Tourism and Aviation Spokesperson and uses this position to be a voice for Shannon Airport in the Dáil. When he’s not in his constituency office in Ennis, in Leinster House or travelling around Clare for clinics, Cathal loves nothing more than spending time with his wife Maeve and their three young children, Sam, Charlie and Eve. Outside of family life and politics, Cathal is a strong supporter of Clare GAA and Munster Rugby.