Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has made a return to the world of politics by rejoining Fianna Fail this week after an 11 year hiatus.
The 71-year-old Dublin native submitted a membership application to Fianna Fail, a spokesman for the party confirmed yesterday that it had been accepted. Mr Ahern's return to the party comes as speculation surrounds a possible attempt at a Presidential run in the 2025 elections.
The Dublin Central TD held the position of Taoiseach between 1997 and 2008, seeing the country through historical events like the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in northern Ireland and the rise of the Celtic Tiger. Here's everything to know about the former Taoiseach's career and family life.
Read more: Building evacuated after fire rips through Dublin apartments
Dublin upbringing and venture into politics
Bartholomew Patrick "Bertie" Ahern was born in Drumcondra, Dublin the youngest of five children to parents Con and Cora Ahern. Ahern was educated at St. Patrick's National School in Drumcondra and attended secondary school at St. Aidan's Christian Brothers, Whitehall.
He received his third level education at the College of Commerce in Rathmines which was then part of the Dublin Institute of Technology. Ahern's first venture into politics came in 1965 when he was involved in a Fianna Fail by-election campaign, helping put up posters.
He became a member of Fianna Fail at the age of 17, also meeting his political mentor and future Taoiseach Charles Haughey. Ahern was elected to the Dublin Finglas constituency in 1977, and he would become Assistant-Government Chief Whip in 1979.
Political career and Taoiseach of Ireland
Ahern later was elected Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1986, and during his tenure he organised the Dublin Millenium festival. In 1987, Fianna Fail returned to power as a minority government, and he became Minister for Labour.
But Ahern's big break came when he was elected as the sixth leader of Fianna Fail in 1994, and in 1997 he became the youngest Taoiseach at the time, a position he held until 2008. He saw Ireland through some historical moments including the rise of the Celtic Tiger and the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
However, he resigned as Taoiseach in 2008 after the findings of the Mahon Tribunal which investigated planning matters and found the former Taoiseach has discrepancies in relation to payments. He has always denied ever receiving a bribe or corrupt payment.
Family Life and later years
Ahern got married in 1975 to wife Miriam until 1993 and they have two daughters Georgina and Cecelia.
Their eldest daughter Georgina is married to Westlife star Nicky Byrne, and the couple have three children together; 15-year-old twins Rocco and Jay and daughter Gia, 10. Georgina also has a qualification in Business, Fitness and Reflexology, and in 2022 she and Nicky celebrated 19 years of marriage.
Bertie and Miriam's younger daughter Cecelia is an award-winning novelist, whose first book PS I Love You was published in 2004 when she was just 21-years-old and finishing a degree in Journalism and Media Communications. She has written many other best-selling novels like Where Rainbows End (aka Love, Rosie), You Could See Me Now, A Place Called Here, and many others.
In February 2015, Bertie Ahern received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. This week, Ahern revealed that he considering a run for President, as long as he’s still alive.
Bertie said: “My main job is to stay alive that long, it (the presidency) doesn’t come up for a long, long time, but I’m an ordinary member of the party.” The next presidential election is due in just under three years’ time, in November 2025, with incumbent President, the popular Michael D Higgins, barred from running for a third term.
READ NEXT:
- Bertie Ahern hints at Presidency run as he rejoins Fianna Fail
Dublin Lotto winner urged to coin in €250,000 prize as deadline looms
First Dates Ireland couple connect over mental health struggles
Ryan Tubridy and RTE Radio 1 stars drop listeners as crunch meetings to be held
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
