Bernard Cowen

Bernard F. "Ber" Cowen (29 January 1932 – 24 January 1984) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who was elected five times to Dáil Éireann.

Early life and education

Ber Cowen was born in Clara, County Offaly in January, 1932, the son of Christopher Cowen, a Fianna Fáil county councillor for Clara, County Offaly, from 1932 until his death in 1967. He was educated at the Christian Brothers school in Tullamore.

His son, Brian, is currently the Taoiseach. Barry Cowen, another grandson of Christopher Cowen, is currently a Fianna Fáil county councillor for Clara, County Offaly.

Political career

Cowen worked as a publican and auctioneer, and first held political office in politics in 1967 when he was elected to Offaly County Council.

He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD for Laois-Offaly in the 1969 General Election. He lost his seat in 1973 general election but was then elected to the 13th Seanad by the Agricultural Panel. In the 1977 general election, Cowen was elected to the 21st Dáil, again for Laois-Offaly. He was re-elected to the 22nd and 23rd Dála, serving as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture from March to December 1982. He was re-elected again in the November 1982 general election, in which Fianna Fáil lost power. He died in 1984 before completing his term.

The consequent by-election for his seat in the 24th Dáil was won by his son, Brian Cowen.

References

• http://www.offalyexpress.ie/local-authority-reports/39Obvious-from-the-start-Brian.3964115.jp
• This page incorporates information from the Oireachtas Members Database