Enda Kenny

date of birth: April 24, 1951
place of birth: Castlebar, Mayo

Kenny is an Irish politician and Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland.

Kenny studied at the National University Of Ireland, Galway and spent four years working as a teacher. Following the death of his father, who was a long standing member of the Dail (Parliament), Kenny won the election for his father’s former seat in 1975.

He was the youngest member of the Dail at the age of 24 and he spent much of his early political career working on Mayo’s local issues. In 1994 he was appointed Minister of Tourism and Trade and held this position until 1997.

After the 2002 election, Kenny was elected party leader of Fine Gael and set about revitalizing the party.

Kenny was Vice-President of Fine Gael’s European affiliate, the European People’s Party between 2006 and 2012.

After the banking crisis and bailout, Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s coalition fell apart and early elections were held in February of 2011. Fine Gael won more than 70 seats and after forming a coalition with the Labour Party, Kenny was elected Taoiseach on March 9, 2011.

He has three children with his wife, Fionnuala O’Kelly.