Ciarán Cannon (42), from Kiltullagh in east Galway, was one of the Taoiseach's 11 nominees to the Seanad in 2007.
He is a former planning official, having worked with Dublin County Council for four years and Galway County Council for 10 years. Since 2000 he has been chief executive of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust.
He entered politics in 2003 and stood successfully in the local elections in 2004, winning a seat for the Loughrea area of Galway County Council.
He was a candidate in Galway East in 2007, gaining 3,300 votes but was eliminated on the fourth count. His closest political adviser is the PD TD for Galway West, Noel Grealish.
Little-known before the leadership campaign, Mr Cannon's victory was based on strong support among county councillors and among PD members in the two Galway constituencies. He is married to Niamh Lawless and they have one son. Away from politics, he is an accomplished pianist and has played as a semi-professional musician.
