Seán Gallagher
| Seán Gallagher | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
7 July 1962 County Cavan, Ireland |
| Political party | Independent (2010–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Fianna Fáil (until 2011) |
| Spouse(s) | Irene McCausland (m. 1997 div. 1999) Trish Gallagher (m. 2010) |
| Alma mater |
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| Website | www |
Seán Gallagher (born 7 July 1962), is an Irish entrepreneur, businessman and 2011 presidential candidate from County Cavan, Ireland. He is the founder of the company Smarthomes and has featured as a panellist on RTÉ's Dragons' Den. In 2009, he won Charity Lords of the Ring. He came second in the 2011 Irish presidential election in which he stood as an independent candidate.
Gallagher grew up in a family of six in Ballyhaise, County Cavan. Both his parents are deceased. His father John Gallagher came from a farming background in Killygordon, County Donegal, and his mother Anne (née Bracken) Gallagher from Tullamore, County Offaly where her family ran a local store. He was visually impaired from birth as a result of congenital cataracts. He later had corrective surgery which improved his sight.
Gallagher was educated at Ballyhaise National School and St. Patrick's College, Cavan. He struggled with study during his early years as a result of his sight but credits his former headmaster, Tom Gawley, with giving him the confidence and determination to succeed and never to allow his limitations to define him.
He was taught Latin and French by Seán Brady, who is now the primate of all Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh. Following his Leaving Certificate in 1980, he attended Teagasc Agricultural College, Ballyhaise, County Cavan.
In his late teens he got his first taste of youth work when he helped set up and became Chair of his local Foroige Youth Club. He also set up and become Chair of the Agriculture College’s Macra na Feirme club for young farmers. It was around this time that Gallagher first became involved in Fianna Fáil. In 1985, he went to NUI Maynooth where he studied the first professional course in Youth and Community Development workers in Ireland.
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