CV
A graduate of Queen’s University Belfast and, from 1987-1997, a Sinn Féin councillor, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir (51) is the Managing Director of the Belfast Media Group and the President of the Irish Echo in New York. During his City Hall tenure, he initiated a series of court actions successfully challenging discriminatory practices and policies thus laying the foundations for the modern, powersharing council.
After becoming a partner in the Andersonstown News in 1997, he grew the business into a multi-media publisher and events company with a strong stable of titles — including the South Belfast News and North Belfast News — and boasting a purpose-built headquarters and press hall. He also developed the Aisling Business Park and invested in several start-ups including the national daily Daily Ireland and the Gazette Group of newspapers in Dublin, subsequently selling his shareholding in the Gazette to the Irish Times.
Today, the Belfast Media Group also includes a Television Production Company, employs over 60 people is recognized as an Investor In People and Excellence Through People company. He has served as deputy Chair of the West Belfast and Shankill Enterprise Council and was a Director of NI Water. He is a prominent Irish language advocate, a frequent commentator on TV and radio and the author of several works in Irish and English, including a history of the battle for equality in City Hall, ‘Belfast’s Dome of Delight’ and a new Arts Council pamphlet, ‘The Art of War’.
Among his awards are a Commendation from New York City Council and, in 2010, an Ullans Academy Award. He is married to Helen O’Hare and the couple have four children. Máirtín has recently competed in the New York marathon – his sixth marathon race.