Love blossoms in Kerry for Taoiseach’s son and it is not the first time for political romance

Micheal Martin’s eldest son Micheál Aodh Martin has got engaged to Kerry girlfriend Maryclaire Lynch.

Maybe it’s something in the fresh sea air but It seems Valentia Island might be the new home of romance following the announcement that Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s son is to marry a girl from the island.

The news emerged just a day after An Taoiseach visited south Kerry to mark the 250th anniversary of Daniel O’Connell’s birth.

Micheál Aodh Martin Jr popped the question to his partner Maryclaire Lynch while on his summer holidays. It is understood the couple met while in college together.

Maryclaire is from Valentia Island and has links to three-time All-Ireland Football champion Ger Lynch.

Micheál is the eldest son of the Taoiseach, and is a goalkeeper for Cork’s senior football team.

The couple got engaged in Montenegro while on holidays.

But this is not the first romance between a Valentia islander and a family directly related to a head-of-state. Former president of Ireland Mary McAleese's eldest daughter, Emma, is married to the son of proud Valentia man and Kerry football legend Mick O'Connell, another multi-medal All-Ireland winner.

Indeed O’Connell and Ger Lynch played together for many years on the field of play, leaving a lasting legacy in the green and gold.

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