Joseph Connolly (Irish politician)

Joseph Connolly (1877 – 1948) was an Irish politician, businessman, and revolutionary. He was a prominent figure in the Irish independence movement and subsequently served in various roles in the government of the Irish Free State.

Connolly was born in Monaghan and became involved in nationalist politics early in his life. He was active in the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and played a significant role in the preparations for the 1916 Easter Rising. Although not present in Dublin during the Rising, he was involved in procuring arms for the rebels.

Following the Rising, Connolly was arrested and interned in Britain. Upon his release, he returned to Ireland and became a leading figure in Sinn Féin. He was elected to Dáil Éireann in the 1918 general election, representing County Monaghan North. As a TD, he supported the establishment of the First Dáil and the Irish Republic.

During the Irish War of Independence, Connolly served as a member of the Dáil cabinet, holding various portfolios including Minister for Labour and Minister for Fisheries. He supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which led to the formation of the Irish Free State.

In the Free State, Connolly continued to be a prominent politician. He served as a Senator in Seanad Éireann from 1922 to 1936 and again from 1938 to 1948. He held various ministerial positions, including Minister for Lands and Fisheries, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, and Minister for Industry and Commerce. He was known for his pragmatic approach to politics and his focus on economic development.

Connolly was also a successful businessman, with interests in various industries. He played a role in the development of Irish industries in the early years of the Free State.

He died in Dublin in 1948. His political career spanned a crucial period in Irish history, from the struggle for independence to the establishment and development of the Irish Free State.