Profile Text
Place of Birth: Castleknock, Dublin, Ireland
Date of Birth: 18 January, 1979
Ethnicity: * father – Marathi Indian * mother – Irish
Leo Varadkar is an Irish politician. He has served as Taoiseach of Ireland, from 14 June, 2017 to 27 June, 2020, and again, from 17 December, 2022 to 9 April, 2024. He has also been Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, from 9 March, 2011 to 11 July, 2014, Minister for Health, from 11 July, 2014 to 6 May, 2016, Minister for Social Protection, from 6 May, 2016 to 14 June, 2017, Leader of Fine Gael, from 2 June, 2017 to 20 March, 2024, Minister for Defence, from 14 June, 2017 to 27 June, 2020, and Tánaiste, and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, both, from 27 June, 2020 to 17 December, 2022; as well as, Fingal County Councillor, from 2003 to 2007, and Teachta Dála for Dublin West, from May 2007 to November 2024. He is Ireland’s first openly gay leader, and the first to be of non-European background. For a time when Leo was Taoiseach, the leaders of the U.K. and Scotland specifically, Rishi Sunak and Humza Yousaf , respectively, were also of Indian origin.
His father, Ashok V. Varadkar, is an Indian-born doctor, from Bombay, with Marathi ancestry. He has family in Varad, Maharashtra. His mother, Mary R. (Howell), is an Irish nurse, from Dungarvan, County Waterford. The two met in Slough, England.
Leo’s paternal grandfather was named Vitthal Varadkar.
Leo’s maternal grandfather was Thomas “Tom” Howell (the son of Patrick Howell and Margaret “Maggie” Barry). Thomas was born in Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland. Patrick was the son of Thomas Howell and Mary Power. Margaret was the daughter of James Barry and Johanna Mahony.
Leo’s maternal grandmother was Catherine “Kate” Walsh (also known as Catherine Walsh, the daughter of John Walsh and Bridget McGrath). Catherine was born in Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland. John was the son of William Walsh and Catherine Condon. Bridget was the daughter of John McGrath and Mary Donahue.
Sources: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Genealogy of Leo Varadkar – https://www.geni.com
Marriage record of Leo’s parents – https://familysearch.org
Marriage record of Leo’s maternal grandparents, Thomas Howell and Catherine “Kate” Walsh – https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie
Birth record of Leo’s maternal grandfather, Thomas Howell – https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie
Marriage record of Leo’s maternal great-grandparents, Patrick Howell and Margaret Barry – https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie
Birth record of Leo’s maternal great-grandfather, Patrick Howell – https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie
Birth record of Leo’s maternal great-grandmother, Margaret Barry – https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie
Birth record of Leo’s maternal grandmother, Catherine “Kate” Walsh – https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.iepdf
Marriage record of Leo’s maternal great-grandparents, John Walsh and Bridget McGrath – https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie