He was born in Aghamore, Ballyshannon, County Leitrim, to parents James McGowan, national school principal, and Margaret Jane McGowan (née Gallagher). He was educated locally before going to St Patrick's College, Dublin, to train as a primary schoolteacher. He returned to Leitrim after graduation and succeeded his father as principal of Drummons national school.[1]
He was involved with Conradh na Gaeilge and the GAA, and was influenced by fellow Leitrim man Seán Mac Diarmada. In 1914 he joined the Irish Volunteers and became heavily involved with the organisation and training of Volunteer companies throughout the county. Although he did not take part in the 1916 Easter Rising, the execution of his friend Mac Diarmada had a profound impact on him.
During the Irish War of Independence he rose to become commanding officer of the Leitrim brigade of the Irish Republican Army and went on the run in 1920. Leitrim was not particularly active during the 1919–1921 period but his small column, based in the north of the county, was involved in several engagements in collaboration with the more active columns in Sligo, most notably the ambush at Moneygold on 25 October 1920.[1]
He joined Clann na Poblachta on its founding in 1946, and served on its national executive. In 1950 he was elected to Leitrim County Council as a Clann na Poblachta candidate and was re-elected in 1955.[1] He stood as a Clann na Poblachta candidate at the 1951 and 1954 general elections for the Sligo–Leitrim constituency but was not elected.
He married Mary McGowan in June 1929; and they had seven sons. He died on 14 June 1958.
^"Martin McGowan". Oireachtas Members Database. from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
^"Martin McGowan". ElectionsIreland.org. from the original on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
January 01, 1970
martin, mcgowan, irish, politician, martin, bernard, mcgowan, november, 1890, june, 1958, irish, politician, teacher, martin, mcgowanteachta, dálain, office, august, 1923, june, 1927constituencyleitrim, sligopersonal, detailsborn, 1890, november, 1890ballyshan. Martin Bernard McGowan 7 November 1890 14 June 1958 was an Irish politician and teacher 1 Martin McGowanTeachta DalaIn office August 1923 June 1927ConstituencyLeitrim SligoPersonal detailsBorn 1890 11 07 7 November 1890Ballyshannon County Leitrim IrelandDied14 June 1958 1958 06 14 aged 67 County Leitrim IrelandPolitical partySinn FeinOther politicalaffiliationsClann na PoblachtaSpouseMary McGowan m 1929 wbr Children7Alma materSt Patrick s College DublinMilitary serviceBranch serviceIrish VolunteersIrish Republican ArmyAnti Treay IRA He was born in Aghamore Ballyshannon County Leitrim to parents James McGowan national school principal and Margaret Jane McGowan nee Gallagher He was educated locally before going to St Patrick s College Dublin to train as a primary schoolteacher He returned to Leitrim after graduation and succeeded his father as principal of Drummons national school 1 He was involved with Conradh na Gaeilge and the GAA and was influenced by fellow Leitrim man Sean Mac Diarmada In 1914 he joined the Irish Volunteers and became heavily involved with the organisation and training of Volunteer companies throughout the county Although he did not take part in the 1916 Easter Rising the execution of his friend Mac Diarmada had a profound impact on him During the Irish War of Independence he rose to become commanding officer of the Leitrim brigade of the Irish Republican Army and went on the run in 1920 Leitrim was not particularly active during the 1919 1921 period but his small column based in the north of the county was involved in several engagements in collaboration with the more active columns in Sligo most notably the ambush at Moneygold on 25 October 1920 1 He opposed the Anglo Irish Treaty and was active in the Sligo Leitrim border area during the Irish Civil War with the Anti Treay IRA He was first elected to Dail Eireann as an anti Treaty Sinn Fein Teachta Dala TD for the Leitrim Sligo constituency at the 1923 general election 2 He did not take his seat in the Dail due to Sinn Fein s abstentionist policy He was disappointed by the decision of Eamon de Valera to enter the Dail in 1926 and never joined Fianna Fail He did not contest the June 1927 general election 3 He joined Clann na Poblachta on its founding in 1946 and served on its national executive In 1950 he was elected to Leitrim County Council as a Clann na Poblachta candidate and was re elected in 1955 1 He stood as a Clann na Poblachta candidate at the 1951 and 1954 general elections for the Sligo Leitrim constituency but was not elected He married Mary McGowan in June 1929 and they had seven sons He died on 14 June 1958 References edit a b c d Kearns Sean McGowan Martin Bernard Dictionary of Irish Biography Retrieved 21 March 2022 Martin McGowan Oireachtas Members Database Archived from the original on 7 November 2018 Retrieved 2 January 2009 Martin McGowan ElectionsIreland org Archived from the original on 22 February 2011 Retrieved 2 January 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Martin McGowan Irish politician amp oldid 1210907390, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
