Richard V. Hourigan (1 April 1939 – 9 November 2002) was a

Fine Gael Fine Gael (, ; English: "Family (or Tribe) of the Irish") is a liberal-conservative and Christian-democratic political party in Ireland. Fine Gael is currently the third-largest party in the Republic of Ireland in terms of members of Dáil � ...

politician from County Limerick in

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

. He was a

senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

for most of the years from 1982 to 1992. He was educated at

St Munchin's College St. Munchin's College is a second-level education college located in Corbally, Limerick, Ireland. The school was founded in 1796. It is a Diocesan CollegeDiocese of Limerick > Education > Post Primary or minor seminary. College Crest The colle ...

Limerick Limerick ( ; ga, Luimneach ) is a western city in Ireland situated within County Limerick. It is in the province of Munster and is located in the Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region. With a population of 94,192 at the 2016 ...

and later at

University College Dublin University College Dublin (commonly referred to as UCD) ( ga, Coláiste na hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath) is a public research university in Dublin, Ireland, and a collegiate university, member institution of the National University of Ireland ...

(UCD). Hourigan had a reputation as a formidable speaker, winning the President's gold medal for Oratory while at UCD. Jim Farrelly's Who's Who in Irish Politics, 1990–1991, described Hourigan as "an able, witty speaker who is extremely knowledgeable on farming and on farmer politics". Hourigan stood unsuccessfully as a Fine Gael candidate for

Dáil Éireann Dáil Éireann ( , ; ) is the lower house, and principal chamber, of the Oireachtas (Irish legislature), which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann (the upper house).Article 15.1.2º of the Constitution of Ireland read ...

in the Limerick East constituency at the 1981 general election. In 1982, he was elected to the

16th Seanad This is a list of the members of the 16th Seanad Éireann, the upper house of the Oireachtas (legislature) of Ireland. These Senators were elected or appointed in 1982, after the February 1982 general election and served until the close of poll ...

on the Agricultural Panel, and was re-elected in 1983 to the

17th Seanad This is a list of the members of the 17th Seanad Éireann, the upper house of the Oireachtas (legislature) of Ireland. These Senators were elected or appointed in 1983, after the November 1982 general election and served until the close of pol ...

, serving until the 1987 elections. He was re-elected at the 1989 election to the

19th Seanad This is a list of the members of the 19th Seanad Éireann, the upper house of the Oireachtas (legislature) of Ireland. These Senators were elected or appointed in 1989, after the 1989 general election and served until the close of poll for the ...

, but was defeated at the 1993 Seanad elections, and failed to regain the seat when he stood again in 1997.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hourigan, Richard 1939 births 2002 deaths Fine Gael senators Members of the 16th Seanad Members of the 17th Seanad Members of the 19th Seanad Politicians from County Limerick 20th-century Irish farmers Alumni of University College Dublin People educated at St Munchin's College Fine Gael candidates in Dáil elections Agricultural Panel senators