Brigid Hogan-O'Higgins (née Hogan; 10 March 1932 – 2 November 2022)[1] was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1957 to 1977.[2] She was the first woman to represent County Galway in Dáil Éireann.[3]
Brigid Hogan-O'Higgins | |
|---|---|
 Hogan-O'Higgins in 1971 | |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office June 1969 – June 1977 | |
| Constituency | Clare–South Galway |
| In office October 1961 – June 1969 | |
| Constituency | Galway East |
| In office March 1957 – October 1961 | |
| Constituency | Galway South |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Brigid Hogan 10 March 1932 Galway, Ireland |
| Died | 2 November 2022 (aged 90) Galway, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 9 |
| Parent |
|
| Relatives |
|
Biography
editBrigid Hogan was the daughter of Patrick Hogan, who died when she was 4 years old. He had been the Minister for Agriculture from 1922 to 1932.[4]
At the age of 24, she was elected as a Fine Gael TD for the Galway South constituency at the 1957 general election. In doing so, she became the first woman to represent Galway in the Dáil.[3] One year later she married fellow TD Michael O'Higgins and in doing so together they became the first married couple to serve in the Dáil together simultaneously.[4]
Hogan-O'Higgins was re-elected at the 1961 general election for the Galway East constituency and again at the 1965 general election. After boundary changes, she was elected at the 1969 general election for Clare–South Galway, where she was returned for a fifth and final term at the 1973 general election.[5]
Hogan-O'Higgins' years as a deputy were mostly spent in opposition: Fianna Fáil was in power continuously from 1957 to 1973, and it was only in her last term (in the 20th Dáil) that Fine Gael formed a government. She was the Fine Gael spokeswoman on Posts and Telegraphs from 1969 to 1972.[3] She was defeated at the 1977 general election, when Jack Lynch led Fianna Fáil's return to government with a large majority.
Hogan-O'Higgins' husband, Michael O'Higgins, was also a TD, as were his father, uncle, and brother. Brigid and Michael had nine children.[3] She was the last surviving member of the 16th Dáil.
Hogan-O'Higgins died in Galway on 2 November 2022, at the age of 90.[6] Commenting on her death, the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins stated she had made a "significant contribution to Irish politics" and recalled that "Both Brigid and [her husband] Michael were always courteous in respecting the views of others, while themselves offering their views with sincerity and consideration."[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Death Notice of Brigid Hogan-O'Higgins". RIP.ie. 3 November 2022.
- ^ "Brigid Hogan-O'Higgins". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Brigid Hogan-O'Higgins, who has died aged 90, was first woman to represent Galway in the Dáil". The Irish Times. 3 November 2022.
- ^ a b O'Loughlin, Ciara (4 November 2022). "First woman to represent Galway in the Dáil, Brigid Hogan-O'Higgins, has died aged 90". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- ^ "Brigid Hogan-O'Higgins". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
- ^ "Tánaiste pays tribute to 'true public servant' Hogan-O'Higgins". RTÉ News. 3 November 2022.