Joseph Whelehan Explained

Joseph Whelehan
Nationality:Irish
Office:Teachta Dála
Term Start:May 1921
Term End:August 1923
Constituency:Galway
Birth Date:19 May 1882
Birth Place:Tyrrellspass, County Westmeath, Ireland
Death Place:Dublin, Ireland
Party:Sinn Féin

Joseph B. Whelehan (19 May 1882 – 29 October 1968) was an Irish politician, scout leader and teacher. He was born in Tyrrellspass, County Westmeath, the son of grocery shopkeeper Michael Whelehan and Jane Gavin. He was married in Tuam in April 1918 to Mary Philomena Waldron.

He was organiser of the Sinn Féin Club in Tuam. He was elected unopposed as a Sinn Féin Teachta Dála (TD) to the 2nd Dáil at the 1921 elections for the Galway constituency.[1] He supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty and voted in favour of it. He was elected as a pro-Treaty Sinn Féin TD at the 1922 general election.[2] He did not contest the 1923 general election. He served as Chair of the Prices Commission during his service in the 2nd Dáil.

Whelehan was a secondary school teacher at St Jarlath's College in Tuam, County Galway.[3] He served as Chief Scout of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland from 1930 until 1962, and was instrumental in the purchase of Larch Hill as the National Campsite.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Joseph Whelehan. Oireachtas Members Database. 10 December 2008.
  2. Web site: Joseph Whelehan. ElectionsIreland.org. 10 December 2008.
  3. https://www.writing.ie/tell-your-own-story/7th-kildare-troop-pilgrimage-to-lourdes-april-1958-by-joe-connolly/ 7th Kildare Troop Pilgrimage to Lourdes April 1958