Pádraig Ó Céidigh
Pádraig Ó Céidigh | |
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Senator | |
In office 25 May 2016 – 27 March 2020 | |
Constituency | Nominated by the Taoiseach |
Personal details | |
Born | Connemara, County Galway, Ireland | 2 January 1957
Political party | Independent |
Spouse | Caitlín Uí Chéidigh (m. 1983) |
Children | 4 |
Alma mater | |
Occupation | Entrepreneur, aviation |
Website | senatorpadraigoceidigh |
Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Irish pronunciation: [ˈˈpˠaːd̪ˠɾˠəɟ oː ˈceːdʲiː]; born 2 January 1957) is an Irish former Independent politician and businessman who served as a Senator from 2016 to 2020, after being nominated by the Taoiseach.[1][2] He is the former owner of Aer Arann and Aer Arann Islands.[3][4]
He gained a B.Comm. from University College Galway in 1978.[5] He worked as an accountant and then as a teacher at Coláiste Iognáid, went on to study law and began practicing with his own firm in the city.[6]
Ó Céidigh purchased Aer Arann in 1994 with Eugene O'Kelly and grew it into a regional airline.[3] Aer Arann was purchased by Stobart Group in the 2010s, becoming Stobart Air,[3] and Ó Céidigh sold the standalone Aer Arann Islands in 2020.[7]
He ran unsuccessfully for one of the three Seanad seats allocated to the National University of Ireland, losing on transfers despite being third on first preferences, but was nominated to the 25th Seanad by Taoiseach Enda Kenny on 11 May 2016.[8]
Ó Céidigh served as a member of the Governing Board of the Irish state broadcaster RTÉ prior to his appointment to the Seanad.[9]
In March 2018, he announced his intention to stand in the 2018 presidential election against incumbent President Michael D. Higgins, as an Independent candidate,[10] but subsequently did not stand in the election.
References
[edit]- ^ "Pádraig Ó Céidigh". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
- ^ "Pieta House founder among Kenny's Seanad nominees". RTÉ News. 27 May 2016. Archived from the original on 27 May 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ a b c O'Donohugh, Paul (12 November 2016). "Ex-Aer Arann boss: 'I was lucky to get out of the industry with my life and some money'". Fora. Ireland. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Doyle, Kevin (31 July 2018). "Aer Arann families annoyed at Ó Céidigh". Irish Independent.
- ^ "Class notes". Cois Coiribe. Autumn 2017. p. 56.
- ^ "NUI Galway announces Awards for Outstanding Graduates". NUI Galway. 3 February 2003.
- ^ Watkins, Marc (22 January 2020). "Ireland's Aer Arann Islands sold". ch-aviation. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ "Here's who the Taoiseach has chosen to fill the remaining Seanad seats". TheJournal.ie. 26 May 2016.
- ^ "Pádraig Ó Céidigh". Personally Speaking Bureau. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- ^ McCarthy, Justine (18 March 2018). "Pádraig Ó Céidigh is fourth senator to declare intention to contest presidency". The Sunday Times. ISSN 0956-1382. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- 1957 births
- Living people
- Alumni of the University of Galway
- Independent members of Seanad Éireann
- Irish accountants
- 20th-century Irish businesspeople
- Irish schoolteachers
- Members of the 25th Seanad
- Nominated members of Seanad Éireann
- Politicians from County Galway
- Businesspeople from County Galway
- 20th-century Irish people
- 21st-century Irish businesspeople