Barry McElduff MLA |
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Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for West Tyrone |
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Assumed office 25 June 1998 |
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Preceded by | New Creation |
Personal details | |
Born |
Aghagogan, Northern Ireland |
16 August 1966
Nationality | Irish |
Political party | Sinn Féin |
Spouse(s) | Paula McElduff |
Website | Barry McElduff MLA |
Barry McElduff (Irish: Barra Mac Giolla Duibh, born 16 August 1966) is an Irish politician.
Born in County Tyrone, and from Aghagogan townland, McElduff attended the Christian Brothers Grammar School in Omagh before attending Queen's University Belfast and becoming an Irish republican activist for Sinn Féin.
At the 1992 general election, he unsuccessfully contested Mid Ulster. He was elected to the Northern Ireland Forum for the West Tyrone constituency in 1996, and has since held this seat on the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Barry has chaired the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee of the Assembly and has served previously on other committees, including Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, Education and Employment and Learning.
McElduff has a strong interest in Gaelic games and the Irish language, as well as being an advocate for increased use of townland names in Northern Ireland.
In 2000, McElduff was elected to Omagh District Council. McElduff visited Scotland to learn more about potential Scottish independence. In reference to the trip, he said, "I travelled to Edinburgh with the outlook that it is a matter for the people of Scotland to decide their own future."