South Down - Caitríona Ruane

Caitriona Ruane was appointed Minister of Education in the last Assembly following the historic agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP, placing equality for all our children at the heart of education policy.  In May 2011 she polled an impressive 5955 first preference share of the vote in South Down.

Caitriona has lobbied the UN and the EU on human rights violations and was an international observer in the first free elections in South Africa which saw Nelson Mandela become President.

Caitríona is a former Director of the West Belfast Festival and a founder of the Belfast St Patrick's Day Parade.

In 2000 President Mary McAleese presented Caitríona with the Aisling Person of the Year Award. A fluent Irish speaker, Caitríona is married with two daughters.