Bernard McGlinchey
Bernard McGlinchey (18 October 1932 – 11 April 2013) was an Irish businessman and Fianna Fáil politician.[1] He was a member of Seanad Éireann from 1961 to 1981, and from 1982 to 1983.
Career
A restaurant proprietor, McGlinchey founded the Golden Grill Nightclub, renowned as the unofficial Fianna Fáil headquarters and host to party conventions.[2][3] He was first elected to the Seanad by the Industrial and Commercial Panel in 1961.[4] At the 1973 election, he was elected by the Administrative Panel, and he was nominated by the Taoiseach in 1977. He did not contest the 1981 election, but in 1982 he was nominated by the Taoiseach to the 16th Seanad.[4] He once debated for 12 hours, a Seanad Éireann record for the longest speech.[2]
He stood for election to Dáil Éireann in the constituencies of Donegal North–East (1973, 1981, November 1982) and Donegal (1977), but was unsuccessful each time.[5] He was a member of Donegal County Council for the Letterkenny area until 2004.[5] Letterkenny Town Park is named after McGlinchey.[6]
He died at home, aged 80, on 11 April 2013.[2]
References