Tras Honan

Tras Honan (née Barlow; born 4 January 1930) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician from Ennis in County Clare who served as a senator for 15 years. She was elected to the position of Cathaoirleach (Chair of Seanad Éireann) on two occasions, becoming the first and only woman elected to the position.^[1]

Honan was born in Dublin and educated at St. Leo's Convent, Carlow and at the Mercy Convent, Clonmel. Honan worked as a housewife and businesswoman before becoming active in politics.

In 1977, she was elected to the 14th Seanad as a Fianna Fáil candidate on the Administrative Panel and served for 15 years^[1] until her defeat at the 1993 elections to the 20th Seanad.^[2] In 1982, in the short-lived 16th Seanad, she was elected to the position of Cathaoirleach, the first woman to hold the post. In 1983, in the 17th Seanad, she was elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach (Deputy Chair), and in 1987 (in the 18th Seanad, she was re-elected as Cathaoirleach.

Family

Honan is the widow of Dermot Honan, a Senator from 1965 to 1975; his father T. V. Honan was also a Senator from 1934 to 1954. She is also a sister of Carrie Acheson, a former Teachta Dála.

See also

• Families in the Oireachtas

References