Charlie McCreevy - Early Life and Career

Early Life and Career

Born in Sallins, County Kildare, McCreevy was educated locally at Naas CBS and at the fee paying Gormanston Franciscan College. He studied Commerce at University College Dublin and went on to become a chartered accountant. His family background was modest (his father – and ancestors since the late 18th century – was a lock-keeper on the Grand Canal, a job carried on by his mother after the death of his father when McCreevy was four years old). So his post-compulsory education had to be achieved through winning scholarships.

His political career began with when he won a seat in the Kildare constituency at the 1977 general election which was a landslide for Charles Haughey's supporters in Fianna Fáil and he was re-elected at every subsequent election until he joined the Commission. Between 1979 and 1985 he was also elected as member of Kildare County Council.

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