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Senator John Richard Blennerhassett of Tralee, Co.Kerry (b.1930), is a well known, popular and respected Irish politican. The most recent example of a tradition of Blennerhassett family political representation reaching back to the 14th century, John Blennerhassett served as Secretary of the Fine Gael party in North Kerry 1959 and Chairman 1968, contesting Dáil Eireann (parliament of the Republic of Ireland) for the North Kerry constituency in 1969, 1973 & 1977 as Fine Gael candidate.
Elected member of Seanad Eireann (Irish Senate) 1973-1982, he was Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave's nominee to the 13th Seanad in 1973. He was re-elected 1977-1981 & 1981-192 (Labour Seanad panel).
He served as councillor on Kerry County Council 1974-1991, also on Tralee Urban District Council 1967-1994 (losing in 1994 by only two votes) on which he was Vice-Chairman in 1974. Re-elected to Tralee UDC as an independent 1999-2004, he was the senior councillor in the chamber "...being well regarded and attracting strong support…".
Active in the trade union movement for 62 years, he was chairman & National Executive Member of the I.U.D.W.C. (Irish Union of Distributive Workers and Clerks) and MANDATE (the Union of Retail, Bar and Administrative Workers).
A member of Tralee Vocational Education Committee (VEC) 1967-1999, member of Tralee & Fenit Harbour Board, member of Tralee Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Tralee Sports Complex Committee.
In retirement a successful breeder & racer of greyhounds, with his champion "Prince Roanoke" who achieved a near-record number of wins, King Okee (24 wins, 23 seconds, 21 thirds in 100 races) and "Rathass Blondie".
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