Boyle native and American resident Hilary Beirne has announced his intention to seek a nomination to contest this year’s Seanad Election.
In announcing his intention, Hilary spoke about the urgent need for increased political engagement of Irish nationals, particularly those living abroad. To this end he announced he will be seeking a nomination to Seanad Eireann in the National University of Ireland (NUI) constituency.
Hilary said, “After speaking at the Global Irish Civic Forum in Dublin Castle last year, where I discussed Seanad reforms and the need for better engagement of Irish citizens living abroad, I have been approached to run for Seanad Eireann.” The Beirne campaign is already gaining momentum as he is building support within the NUI universities and has received encouragement from several well-known NUI personalities in Ireland for the Seanad run. This is in addition to strong support from NUI graduates abroad.
With senate elections expected later this year, to the best of our knowledge, Hilary is the first candidate to declare his intention to seek a senate nomination. Seanad Eireann elections must be held within 90 days of a general election.
In the past year, Hilary has spoken concerning Irish political engagement at the Global Irish Civic Forum, the Inter-Celtic Business Forum in Brittany, France, the Tangible Ireland conference in Limerick, and at the Golden Bridges award ceremony in Boston.
Educated at NUI Galway and NUI Dublin. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science and a master’s degree in environmental and occupational health sciences. He also attended Atlantic Technology University (ATU) Mountbellew, formerly the Franciscan Agricultural College in Mountbellew, Co Galway.
Hilary is a member of the Irish Ad Hoc Committee to protect the Good Friday Agreement in Washington DC, Chairman and founder of the St Patrick’s Day Foundation, NYC and a member of the executive board at Votingrights.ie, as well as a member of a number of other Irish organizations.
He is a regular visitor to his hometown of Boyle and is pictured officially opening the Boyle Arts Festival in 2022
