Charlie Haughey
Charles J. Haughey (1925-2006) was a politician and Taoiseach of Ireland.
Haughey was married to Maureen Lemass (1925-2017) and together they had four children: Eimear, Conor, Ciarán, and Seán.
The Haughey family presented his personal papers and archive to Dublin City University after his death. This is an introduction to this collection.
Charles J. Haughey is presented in a Fianna Fáil party political broadcast prior to the February 1982 Irish General Election. In this election, Fianna Fáil returned the most seats and Haughey became Taoiseach of Ireland.
Tap to explore
Charles J. Haughey returns to Mayo as Taoiseach visiting the Marian Shrine at Knock and his birthplace in Castlebar. On the 30 May 1986, while leader of the opposition, Haughey returned to open Knock International Airport with Monsignor James Horan, Parish Priest of Knock.
Tap to explore
Dublin
As a result of Johnnie Haughey's deteriorating health after the war, the family moved from a small farm in Dunshaughlin, Meath, to 12 Belton Park Road, Donnycarney, Dublin. In 1933, Johnnie was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which he lived with until his death in 1947. Sarah Haughey remained living here until her death in 1989.
Education
Haughey attended Scoil Mhuire in Marino, Dublin. At the age of 12, he came first out of 500 pupils in the 1938 Dublin Corporation scholarship examination, enabling him to attend St. Joseph's Christian Brothers School in Marino, known as Joey's.
Press cutting 'First of 500' (17 August 1938) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Haughey's school exercise copy book, Scoil Mhuire, Marino, Dublin. ([1933]) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Scoil Mhuire, Marino.
School exercise copy book.
Dublin Junior Primary Champions, Scoil Mhuire, Marino. (1937) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Scoil Mhuire, Marino.
Dublin Junior Primary Champions, 1936-1937 (Haughey back left)
School reference for Cathal Haughey, St. Joseph's Christian Brothers School, Marino, Dublin. (4 October 1943) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
St. Joseph's Christian Brothers School, Marino.
A complimentary school reference by Brother Tomás Maincín Ó Catháin, Árd-Mhaighistir (Headmaster).
St. Joseph's Christian Brothers School, Marino.
Buachaill ana mhaith agus ana shásamhail ab eadh Cathal Ó h-Eochaidh an fhaid is a bhí sé ag freastal na scoile seo. Tá sé oireamhnach don Iolscoil, dar liom.
Cathal Ó h-Eochaidh was a very good and satisfactory boy during his time in this school. In my opinion he is suitable for University.
Haughey was awarded a second scholarship after his Intermediate Certificate examination in June 1941, and was among a small number to sit the new Leaving Certificate in June 1943. Haughey's Leaving Certificate results secured him a further Dublin Corporation scholarship to study Commerce at University College Dublin.
In 1943, Haughey played in a Leinster minor hurling final for Dublin against Kilkenny. In the All-Ireland senior hurling final which followed it, another future Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, played for Cork in their win over Antrim. Haughey played for both St. Vincents and Parnells Gaelic Athletic Association clubs on the northside of Dublin city.
Charlie Haughey at University College Dublin. ([1944]) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Haughey at University College Dublin, 1944.
At University College Dublin, Haughey was auditor of the Commerce Society and was awarded the National University of Ireland's Bursary in Commerce in 1947. His essay below 'The Financing of Industry in Ireland' was part of this bursary submission.
In 1948, Haughey won the John Mackie Memorial Prize after completing his intermediate examination for the Institute of Chartered Accountants. In 1949, Haughey completed both the King's Inns Barrister-at-Law examination and his final accountancy exams. Later that year, he was called to the Bar and became an associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland.
Haughey's essay for the National University of Ireland's bursary in commerce. (1947) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Haughey's essay submitted as part of the National University of Ireland's Bursary in Commerce.
Letter awarding Haughey the 1947 busary in commerce. (10 July 1947) by Charles J. HaugheyDublin City University Library
Letter awarding Haughey the 1947 Bursary in Commerce.
Defence Forces
Haughey joined the Local Defence Forces aged 16 and raised his own platoon of soldiers from around Donnycarney. After the Second World War, he was commissioned into An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúl (FCÁ) gaining the rank of Lieutenant and Officer commanding 'A' Company, North Dublin Battalion.
Haughey during the Emergency. (c1945) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Platoon leader Haughey leads his A Company, North Dublin Battalion, on training manoeuvres during the Emergency. (A national state of emergency during the Second World War)
Fianna Fáil
Haughey started his political career as a local councillor, being co-opted to Dublin Corporation from 1953-1955. Previously in 1951, 1954, and 1956, Haughey unsuccessfully stood for election to Dáil Éireann for Fianna Fáil in the Dublin North-East constituency.
Haughey speaking on the election trail. (1947) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Haughey on the election trail in 1947.
Teachta Dála
He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) in 1957 and successively held the Ministries of Justice, Agriculture and Fisheries, Finance, Health and Social Welfare, and the Gaeltacht over the course of a long political career.
Dáil Éireann election notification for Haughey. (9 March 1957) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Notification of Haughey's election and attendance required at Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 9 March 1957.
Leadership
Haughey became leader of Fianna Fáil in December 1979 after defeating George Colley, an old school friend but later an internal Fianna Fáil adversary by 44 votes to 38. He led four governments while serving as Taoiseach; December 1979 to June 1981, February to November 1982, February 1987 to June 1989, and June 1989 to February 1992.
Haughey meets the press after winning the Fianna Fáil leadership election. (7 December 1979) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Haughey meets the press after winning the Fianna Fáil leadership election.
Charles J. Haughey is presented in a Fianna Fáil party political broadcast prior to the November 1982 Irish General Election. While Fianna Fáil returned the most seats, a Fine Gael and Labour Party majority coalition government was formed.
Statesman
Haughey's long political career reflected the depth and breadth of his interests and various roles as a parliamentarian, legislator, negotiator and committed European.
Haughey's presidency of the European Community in 1990 championed German reunification and showcased Ireland's active role as a member of the European Community (European Union).
Booklet for the visit of President John F. Kennedy to Ireland. (June 1963) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Booklet for the visit of President John F. Kennedy to Ireland, 26-29 June 1963.
Invitation from John F. Kennedy to Charles and Maureen Haughey. (28 June 1963) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
An invitation from President John F. Kennedy to Charles and Maureen Haughey.
Letter from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey. (11 December 1980) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Letter from British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey after the Anglo-Irish summit in Dublin Castle, 8 December 1980.
Letter from Haughey to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. ([12] December 1980) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Letter from Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey replying to Prime Minister Thatcher, [12] December 1980.
Letter from Charles J. Haughey to Dr Helmut Kohl, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. (13 February 1990) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Letter from Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey to Dr Helmut Kohl, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, 13 February 1990.
Letter from Charles J. Haughey to Dr Helmut Kohl, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. (13 February 1990) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Letter from Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey to Dr Helmut Kohl, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, 13 February 1990.
Letter from Charles J. Haughey to Dr Helmut Kohl, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. (13 February 1990) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Letter from Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey to Dr Helmut Kohl, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, 13 February 1990.
Letter from Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Helmut Kohl to Charles J. Haughey. (8 August 1990) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Letter from Dr. Helmut Kohl, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, to Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey, 8 August 1990.
Translated letter from Chancellor Helmut Kohl to Haughey. (8 August 1990) by Charles J. Haughey CollectionDublin City University Library
Letter from Dr. Helmut Kohl, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, to Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey, 8 August 1990.
Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey addresses President Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, and White House guests on St. Patrick's Day, 1982. (US National Archives: catalog.archives.gov/id/5730544)
Cataloguing in progress...
The Charles J. Haughey Collection is currently being preserved, catalogued, and digitised in Dublin City University Library. It will be progressively released for research on a phased basis.
DCU Library would like to acknowledge Killian Downing for the curation of this introductory exhibition, with thanks also to Stephen Brady, Orla Connaughton, Daire Hall, Gordon Kennedy, Keith Marshall, David Meehan, Gary Murphy, Joseph Murphy, Máire Ó Baoill, Dónal Ó Baoill and Liam O'Dwyer.
