Aidan Farrelly | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Farrelly in 2024 | |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office November 2024 | |
| Constituency | Kildare North |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1986/1987 (age 37–38) |
| Political party | Social Democrats |
| Spouse | Aisling Farrelly |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | |
Aidan Farrelly (born 1986/1987)[1] is an IrishSocial Democrats politician who has been aTeachta Dála (TD) for theKildare North constituency since the2024 general election.[2][3] He retained the seat for the Social Democrats, previously held by the party's retiring founderCatherine Murphy.[4]
Farrelly previously represented theClane area onKildare County Council from2019 to 2024. He is a lecturer in social policy and youth work atMaynooth University, having experience in Kildare Youth Services.
Farrelly grew up inClane.[5] He graduated with aBachelor of Arts in Applied Social Sciences fromSt Patrick's, Carlow College in 2008. He went on to complete aMaster of Science in Community and Youth Work in 2018 and aDoctorate of Social Science in 2024, both atMaynooth University.[6]
Farrelly began his career in community development and youth work. He contributed to Clane Youth Project in 2007.[7] From 2008 to 2021, he was a team leader in Kildare Youth Services.[8][1]
At the2019 local elections, Farrelly was elected to represent the Clane area onKildare County Council for theSocial Democrats.[9][10] The following year, he began lecturing in community and youth work atMaynooth University in the Department of Applied Social Studies.[11] He joined theNational Youth Council of Ireland as a research officer in 2023. Farrelly successfully sought re-elected as a councillor in the2024 local elections.[12]
Shortly after his re-election to Kildare Council, Farrelly was selected as a general election candidate forKildare North in the2024 general election, replacing the retiring Social Democrats party founderCatherine Murphy. Ahead of the election, Farrelly helped launch the party's youth manifesto with Murphy.[13]
Farrelly lives inProsperous with his wife Aisling.[5] They have three children.[10]