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Dominic Bradley MLA

Dominic Bradley

MLA for Newry and Armagh

Vice-Chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly Regional Development Committee

SDLP Spokesperson on Education, Policing

Dominic at a glance

Dominic was elected MLA for Newry and Armagh in 2003 and is the party’s education and policing spokesman. He serves as vice-chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Education Committee. A fluent Irish speaker he also sits on the Assembly’s Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee.

A native of Bessbrook, Co Armagh and one of twelve children Dominic was educated at St. Paul’s High School Bessbrook, the Abbey Grammar School Newry and Queen’s University. He holds a joint honours degree in English Literature and Language and a PGCE from Queen’s and a MA in Irish Language and Literature from the University of Ulster.

From 1978 until 2004 Dominic taught Irish, English and Drama in St Paul’s High School Bessbrook where he met his wife Mary. They have a son; Christopher.

Outside politics Dominic has great love of Irish Culture: he acts as Education Editor of the Irish Language weekly newspaper LÁ and is a member of the National Executive Association for School Drama. Dominic was a founding member of the Coláiste Bhlinne an Irish language summer school which has been operating for almost 25 years in the local area. His brother Paul ranks as one of Ireland’s best fiddle players.

Political Career

Dominic began in politics as a 15-year-old civil rights activist In Newry. Since joining the SDLP, Dominic has played an integral role in many successful election campaigns including those of founder Paddy O’Hanlon and former deputy leader Seamus Mallon.

As SDLP education spokesman Dominic has been central to the party’s campaign to find an alternative to the Eleven Plus and to offer a solution to the current political impasse surrounding the future of post-primary education.

Dominic has also tabled an Irish Language Bill designed to depoliticize the language and give it equal status as English.

In April 2010 he was appointed vice-chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly Regional Development Committee.

Constituency Office

15 Trevor Hill, Newry, Co Down, BT34 1DN
Tel 028 30267933 Fax 028 30267828
Email dominicobrolchain@btinternet.com

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