Early and Private Life
Born into a highly political family in Wexford, Howlin was the son of John and Molly Howlin (née Dunbar). Named after Brendan Corish, the local Labour TD, Howlin’s father was a trade union official who served as secretary of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union in Wexford for 40 years. He also secured election as a Labour member of Wexford Corporation, where he served for eighteen years, and was also election agent to Brendan Corish. Howlin’s mother was also strongly involved in local Labour politics.
Howlin grew up in Wexford town and was educated locally at Wexford CBS. He later attended St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin and qualified as a primary school teacher. During his career as a teacher he was active in the INTO, before embarking on a career in full-time politics.
Howlin is a single man. He has spoken publicly of receiving hate mail relating to his private life and questioning his sexual orientation. In a famous interview with The Star during the 2002 Labour Party leadership contest, in response to repeated speculation, he announced he was "not gay". The announcement prompted the headline "I'm not gay" in The Star. Controversy centred on the pint of porter Howlin used in a photograph to imply heterosexuality, and there followed a radio interview with Joe Duffy on RTÉ Radio 1. However, continuing speculation over his sexual orientation was said by the media to have cost Howlin votes in the 1997 Labour Party leadership contest.
Read more about this topic: Brendan Howlin
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