M. J. Nolan
Encyclopedia
M. J. Nolan is a former Irish
Fianna Fáil
politician. He served as a Teachta Dála
(TD) for the Carlow–Kilkenny
constituency from 1982–97 and 2002–11.
Nolan was born in Muine Bheag, County Carlow
and educated at De La Salle school, Muine Bheag and Mount St. Joseph's in Roscrea
, County Tipperary
. He first held political office in 1973 when he became a Muine Bheag Town Council, a position which he held until 1985. He also served on Carlow County Council
from 1979–2003, and in May 1982 he was nominated by the Taoiseach, Charles Haughey
to the 16th Seanad.
Nolan, the son of the former cabinet minister Tom Nolan, was first elected as a Fianna Fáil
TD for the Carlow–Kilkenny
constituency at the November 1982 general election. In 1991 he was one of a "gang of four" including Noel Dempsey
, Liam Fitzgerald
and Seán Power who tabled a motion of no confidence against Charles Haughey as Taoiseach
and party leader. Nolan lost his seat at the 1997 general election
to constituency colleague John J. McGuinness
. He was elected to the 21st Seanad on the Agricultural Panel at a by-election in December 2001.
He regained his Dáil seat at the 2002 general election
, and was re-elected at the 2007 general election. Nolan was joined in the 30th Dáil by fellow Carlow TD Mary White
of the Green Party
.
He is married to Mary Forde and has two sons and two daughters.
He retired from politics at the 2011 general election.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
politician. He served as a Teachta Dála
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
(TD) for the Carlow–Kilkenny
Carlow–Kilkenny (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Carlow–Kilkenny is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
constituency from 1982–97 and 2002–11.
Nolan was born in Muine Bheag, County Carlow
County Carlow
County Carlow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Carlow, which lies on the River Barrow. Carlow County Council is the local authority for the county...
and educated at De La Salle school, Muine Bheag and Mount St. Joseph's in Roscrea
Roscrea
Roscrea is a small heritage town in North Tipperary, Ireland. The town has a population of 4,910. Its main industries include meat processing and pharmaceuticals. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Ikerrin...
, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
. He first held political office in 1973 when he became a Muine Bheag Town Council, a position which he held until 1985. He also served on Carlow County Council
Carlow County Council
Carlow County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Carlow in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The head of the council has the title of Mayor...
from 1979–2003, and in May 1982 he was nominated by the Taoiseach, Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
to the 16th Seanad.
Nolan, the son of the former cabinet minister Tom Nolan, was first elected as a Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
TD for the Carlow–Kilkenny
Carlow–Kilkenny (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Carlow–Kilkenny is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
constituency at the November 1982 general election. In 1991 he was one of a "gang of four" including Noel Dempsey
Noel Dempsey
Noel Dempsey is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Meath and Meath West constituencies from 1987 to 2011...
, Liam Fitzgerald
Liam Fitzgerald
Liam Joseph Fitzgerald is an Irish politician and former Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála and Senator.Fitzgerald was born in Doon, County Limerick and educated at the Christian Brothers school in Doon, St. Patrick's Teacher Training College, Drumcondra, Dublin and University College Dublin. He worked...
and Seán Power who tabled a motion of no confidence against Charles Haughey as Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
and party leader. Nolan lost his seat at the 1997 general election
Irish general election, 1997
The Irish general election of 1997 was held on Friday, 6 June 1997. The 166 newly elected members of the 28th Dáil assembled on 26 June 1997 when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
to constituency colleague John J. McGuinness
John J. McGuinness
John J. McGuinness is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Carlow–Kilkenny constituency since 1997...
. He was elected to the 21st Seanad on the Agricultural Panel at a by-election in December 2001.
He regained his Dáil seat at the 2002 general election
Irish general election, 2002
The Irish general election of 2002 was held on Friday, 17 May 2002 just over three weeks after the dissolution of the 28th Dáil on Thursday 25 April by President Mary McAleese, at the request of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern...
, and was re-elected at the 2007 general election. Nolan was joined in the 30th Dáil by fellow Carlow TD Mary White
Mary White (Green Party politician)
Mary White is an Irish Green Party politician. She was a Teachta Dála for the Carlow–Kilkenny constituency from 2007 to 2011, and served as a Minister of State from 2010 to 2011.-Early and personal life:...
of the Green Party
Green Party (Ireland)
The Green Party is a green political party in Ireland. It was founded as the Ecology Party of Ireland in 1981 by Dublin teacher Christopher Fettes. The party became the Green Alliance in 1983 and in 1987 was renamed to its current title in English...
.
He is married to Mary Forde and has two sons and two daughters.
He retired from politics at the 2011 general election.