Robin Kinahan
| Sir Robin Kinahan | |
|---|---|
| Lord Mayor of Belfast | |
|
In office 1959–1961 |
|
| Preceded by | Cecil McKee |
| Succeeded by | Martin Kelso Wallace |
|
Member of Parliament for Belfast Clifton |
|
|
In office 1958–1959 |
|
| Preceded by | Norman Porter |
| Succeeded by | William James Morgan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
24 September 1916 Belfast, Ireland |
| Died | 2 May 1997 (aged 80) Castle Upton, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Ulster Unionist Party |
| Spouse(s) | Coralie de Burgh |
| Children | 5 |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Religion | Anglican |
Sir Robert George Caldwell "Robin" Kinahan, ERD (24 September 1916 – 2 May 1997) was a politician, businessman and a senior member of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland. In his obituary, he was described as one of the last of the "county elite" to remain a high-ranking member of the Orange Order during the turbulent years of The Troubles, when it became potentially dangerous to belong. In his personal life he deplored bigotry and was almost expelled from the Orange Order for having attended a Roman Catholic funeral service.
Born in Belfast to Henry Kinahan and Blanche Grierson Kinahan, daughter of the Bishop of Connor and Bishop of Down and Dromore, Robin Kinahan was educated at Stowe. Upon leaving school he went straight into the family firm with a Vintners' Company scholarship, which took him to Oporto and Bordeaux, this facilitated his knowledge of wine and the French language.
During World War II he joined the Royal Artillery, the 8th (Belfast) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, serving briefly in France before the Dunkirk withdrawal, then in the air defence of Coventry and London before ending up in Burma under General Slim.
Following the war he entered politics as councillor for Belfast Oldpark, where in 1948 he defeated Labour activist Billy Blease. In 1956 he was appointed High Sheriff of Belfast. He served in the Belfast Corporation for 10 years before becoming a Stormont Member of Parliament for Belfast Clifton, defeating the incumbent independent Unionist Norman Porter.
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