Alan Dillon

Alan Dillon (born 28 September 1982) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency since the 2020 general election.

Prior to entering politics, he was a two-time All Star winning Gaelic footballer who captained the senior Mayo county team.

Personal life

He is married to Ashling Dillon, and they have two sons. Dillon attended Davitt College in Castlebar for his secondary school education. He studied at NUI Galway, and played for the university football team. Dillon has a MSc in Pharmaceutical Science from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from NUI Galway, and a BSc in Applied Mathematics and Biology from Maynooth University. Dillon has also participated in a marketing campaign for Ireland West Airport Knock.

Gaelic football career

Dillon played football with his local club Ballintubber in County Mayo and was a pivotal member of the senior Mayo county team from 2003 until his retirement in 2017, playing in six All-Ireland finals. His fine-tuned skill, his sharp roving eye and his clever reading of the game all contribute to his exceptional footballing abilities. Dillon won his first All Star award in 2006 and a second All Star award in 2012.

On 28 November 2017, Dillon announced his retirement from inter-county football.

Political career

Following his retirement from inter-county football in 2017, there was much speculation that Dillon would succeed former Taoiseach Enda Kenny as a Fine Gael candidate for Mayo. He has numerous links to Fine Gael, an aunt having been Enda Kenny's Castlebar secretary and her husband being Kenny's driver and a county councillor.

He successfully stood as a Fine Gael candidate at the 2020 general election in the Mayo constituency. In July 2020, Dillon was elected as the secretary of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, following its AGM in the Convention Centre Dublin.

In October 2023, Dillon succeeded Richard Bruton as the chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party. He served as chair until April 2024, when he was succeeded by Alan Farrell.

On 10 April 2024, Dillon was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage following the appointment of Simon Harris as Taoiseach.

References

External links

• Official website
• Alan Dillon's page on Fine Gael website