Billy Kelleher
Billy Kelleher is an Irish Member of the European Parliament (MEP), representing the Fianna Fáil party. He has been active in advocating for Ireland's interests in the EU, particularly in relation to policies that impact the tourism sector, making him a key speaker at events concerning the future of Irish hospitality.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Billy Kelleher supported the European Commission and criticized populists and the far-right.
Index - Külföld - Egymásnak estek a képviselők, Ursula von der Leyen jövője a tét
Hungary· 2026-01-19
Billy Kelleher was chosen over Jim Gavin as the Fianna Fáil candidate.
Micheál Martin says he is not any ‘wiser’ on Jim Gavin’s failure to recall tenancy dispute – The Irish Times
Ireland· 2025-12-18
Billy Kelleher, an MEP, unsuccessfully sought to be the party’s candidate.
Taoiseach strongly defends his leadership after Gavin report published – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-17
Billy Kelleher suggested that the Taoiseach should run for president.
Six key moments in the unravelling of Jim Gavin and Fianna Fáil’s presidential campaign – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-17
MEP Billy Kelleher urged Mr Martin to stand for the presidency in mid-August.
Party told Jim Gavin past disputes would be uncovered – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-16
Billy Kelleher went up against Jim Gavin in an internal contest to be the candidate.
Disappointment within Fianna Fáil over expected delay into presidential election review – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-09
Mr Martin said MEP Billy Kelleher did not tell him soon enough that he wanted to run for president.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin defends leadership amid backlash over presidential campaign – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-30
Billy Kelleher was nominated for president of Fianna Fáil amidst pressure from the leadership.
If Micheál Martin survives this, his achievement will almost rival Catherine Connolly’s – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-27
Billy Kelleher was a party stalwart who contested against Jim Gavin for the candidacy.
FF needs to ‘reinvent itself’ after campaign ‘shambles’, party TD says – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-26
Billy Kelleher was a party stalwart who contested against Jim Gavin for the candidacy.
‘The election blew up in our face’Ireland· 2025-10-26
Billy Kelleher is a sitting MEP who wanted to run for the presidency but was denied the chance.
the real winners (and losers) of the presidential election – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-25
The list included Billy Kelleher, Mary Hanafin and Bertie Ahern of Fianna Fáil.
the candidates, how to vote, the powers of the president, and when will we know the result? – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-21
Billy Kelleher's humble beginnings are highlighted, including selling a kidney to afford a donkey and cart.
Micheál Martin’s damage limitation might be too little too late after all – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-18
Billy Kelleher was a significant influence in changing the leader’s anti-abortion position and sought the presidential candidacy.
This presidential election could be about to get even weirder – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-10
In an internal party contest for the candidacy, Mr Gavin beat MEP Billy Kelleher by 41 votes to 29.
Taoiseach apologises to party over disastrous presidential election campaign – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-08
Billy Kelleher garnered significant support in the selection contest for the party's presidential candidate.
What does Jim Gavin’s withdrawal mean for this presidential raceIreland· 2025-10-07
Billy Kelleher, an MEP, led the resistance against the party's decision to support Jim Gavin.
Disastrous, Unbelievable, Bizarre, Unprecedented – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-07
Billy Kelleher received a strong vote at the parliamentary party’s selection vote, reflecting dissatisfaction among TDs.
How did Fianna Fáil miss the tenant story? Five questions after Jim Gavin’s withdrawal – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-06
Billy Kelleher confirmed his candidacy for the presidency after initially stating he was not interested.
A timeline of Jim Gavin’s short-lived push for the presidency – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-06
The list included Billy Kelleher, Mary Hanafin and Bertie Ahern of Fianna Fáil.
A beginner’s guide to the Irish presidential election – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-05
Billy Kelleher is mentioned as someone Bernard would have considered voting for.
‘I can’t understand why Jim Gavin is running’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-29
Billy Kelleher, a former contender, was present at Jim Gavin's campaign launch.
Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin presses the flesh and burnishes presidential image – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-29
Billy Kelleher was a candidate in the internal parliamentary party vote for Fianna Fáil’s presidential candidate.
‘I was hoping for Paul Mescal,’ tourist says after meeting Jim Gavin on campaign trail – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-25
Billy Kelleher recorded a stronger than expected showing in the parliamentary party vote.
a pointer towards the party’s future – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-15
Cork MEP Billy Kelleher’s 29 votes in a closer-than-expected result.
Lack of presidential debate in Irish ‘disappointing’, says Connolly – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-14Billy Kelleher, the Ireland South MEP, spoke with passion and heart on his home ground.
standing ovations, ‘thunderous’ applause and tears – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-10Billy Kelleher has increased the importance of the election for party leader Micheál Martin.
Micheál Martin now needs his party victor Jim Gavin to win the presidential election – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-09Billy Kelleher performed considerably better than expected in the presidential candidate selection process.
Jim Gavin ‘honoured’ to be selected as Fianna Fáil presidential candidate – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-09Billy Kelleher is an Ireland South MEP and is competing for the presidential election candidacy.
Fianna Fáil to pick between Gavin and Kelleher as presidential election candidate – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-09
Billy Kelleher is a candidate expected to close the gap in the presidential election.
Party think-ins have been dominated by one thing, and it’s not policy – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-09
