Micheál Martin has been an elected politician for more than 35 years, serving as a councillor, Lord Mayor, TD and government minister. Southern Editor Paschal Sheehy has been following the Fianna Fáil leader's career for most of that time.
His confidence, the feeling of being comfortable in his own skin, stems from the "constants" in his life - a group of people, local and national, most of whom have been with him from the beginning of his political career. Martin's Cork base is important to him. He was first elected to Cork Corporation in 1985, soon afterwards leaving his job as a teacher to become a full-time politician.
Martin's brother Sean and other members of his family, his Parliamentary Assistant and city councillor Mary Rose Desmond, city councillor and former Lord Mayor of Cork Terry Shannon, and businessman Humphrey Murphy are part of a group that closely watches his political base in Cork - and all are close to him too.
Micheál Martin is quite humble for somebody in his position, and he doesn't appear to be interested in the trappings of power and office.He isn't a huge socialiser, although he's both affable and personable in company. He enjoys a pint, but you won't find him in the early hours of the morning singing the Lakes of Pontchartrain after a gathering of his parliamentary party.
Outside of family and the GAA, Micheál Martin walks to unwind. Courtmacsherry in West Cork is a bolthole. He turns 60 on 1 August and he passed the 35-year mark as an elected politician a few days ago. During that time, he has served as a senior minister in four government departments, including the departments of health and foreign affairs.
History informs Martin's judgement, but he has shown that he isn't a prisoner to it either. His support for same-sex marriage and for the referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment - in spite of the upset that caused to Fianna Fáil's traditional support base - are indicative of that.
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Source: IrishTimes - 🏆 3. / 98 Read more »