Hugh Gibbons

Who was Hugh Gibbons?

Hugh Gibbons was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who sat in Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for twelve years, from 1965 to 1977.

A medical doctor before entering politics, Gibbons was elected on his first attempt, when he stood as a Fianna Fáil candidate in the Roscommon constituency at the 1965 general election. After constituency changes, he was re-elected at the 1969 general election in the new Roscommon–Leitrim constituency. He was returned to the Dáil again at the 1973 general election, but did not contest the 1977 general election and retired from politics.

Gibbons was also holder of three All Ireland Medals while playing for Roscommon in the All-Ireland Senior Club Football and Junior Club Football Championships. In 1940 he played with the county junior team, which won the All Ireland junior title that year. He then played for the county team which won the All Ireland senior titles in 1943 and 1944. He also played for and co founded St. Ronans GAA club in North Roscommon. On his death, he was described by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern as a 'Sportsman and a Scholar'.

His son, Brian Gibbons was the Labour Party Welsh Assembly Member for Aberavon from 1999 to 2010.