Mayo local, Enda Kenny, served as leader of Fine Gael from 2002–2017 and as Taoiseach of Ireland from 2011–2017. Enda Kenny attended the National University of Ireland, Galway, and spent four years working as a teacher. He turned to politics in 1975 following in the footsteps of his father, Henry Kenny who was a long-serving member of Dáil Éireann.
At age 24, Enda Kenny became the youngest member of the Dáil. During his political career he also served as Minister for Tourism and Trade, Minister for Youth Affairs and Minister for Defence. In June 2018, Kenny was named ‘Irish European of the Year’ for his outstanding contribution to promoting and developing Ireland’s place in Europe through some of the most challenging circumstances in our history. This includes navigating the period around the Brexit referendum to also chairing the European Council and developing and promoting our relationship with the European Union. He has also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and is a keen supporter of Mayo GAA.