Denis Gallagher

Who was Denis Gallagher?

Denis Gallagher was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He served as Minister for the Gaeltacht on two occasions.

Denis Gallagher was born in Currane, by Clew Bay, facing Achill Island, County Mayo in 1922. He was educated locally and at St Enda's College in Galway. He qualified as a national school teacher having graduated from St Patrick's College in Drumcondra, Dublin. He taught in Drimnagh in Dublin for several years before returning to Mayo in 1946 to take up a teaching post. Gallagher stood as a Clann na Poblachta candidate at the 1954 general election for Mayo North but was not elected.

In the 1960s Gallagher changed allegiance and became a member of Fianna Fáil. He was elected to Mayo County Council in 1967 and was elected to Dáil Éireann on his third attempt at the 1973 general election for the Mayo West constituency. Gallagher did not remain on the backbenches for very long. He joined the Fianna Fáil front bench in 1974 as spokesperson on Fisheries. He remained in that position until 1977 when the party returned to power and Gallagher was appointed Minister for the Gaeltacht. He was an active Minister with an interest in Irish language affairs.