Grassroots

David McClarty was born 23 February 1951 in Coleraine, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He is the 7th of a large family. David has lived, worked and raised his family in his beloved Coleraine all his life. He is married to Norma, a local Coleraine woman and has two sons and a beautiful grand-daughter.

Education

David attended Killowen Primary School as a boy and then moved onto Coleraine Boys Secondary School. He finished his secondary education at Coleraine Academical Institution. David spent his university years at the Magee campus of the University of Ulster where he studied English and the Classics.

Career

David embarked upon a career in insurance underwriting. He worked for a large insurance company as an fire insurance underwriter. He then took up a position in his brother’s consultancy firm as an independent insurance consultant working out of both the Coleraine and Limavady offices. David resigned from the company in 1998 to concentrate full time as a MLA in the new NI Assembly.

David’s political career had begun in 1989 when he was first elected to Coleraine Borough Council. From 1993 to 1995, Councillor McClarty served as a very popular Mayor, a post which he enjoyed because it brought him closer to the people in the Borough. David remains in the Council as one of the longest serving members after being elected in May 2011 for a 6th term in office.

In 1994, David was bestowed the honour of Freeman of the City of London.

In 1998 David’s political career became a full time position after he was successfully returned to the historical first mandate of the newly devolved Northern Ireland Assembly as a Member for East Londonderry.

As a loyal and dedicated member of the Ulster Unionist Party, David was selected to be the party’s Chief Whip in the Northern Ireland Assembly. He served on a number of Committees with the party. He was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House from 2007 to 2011. David relished his time as Deputy Speaker and was very honoured and humbled to be selected following cross community support from the House.

In January 2011, David resigned from the Ulster Unionist Party following an internal conflict that was beyond his control. He stood as an Independent candidate for the Northern Ireland Assembly elections and the Local Government elections in May 2011. David was successfully elected by East Londonderry and Coleraine Central respectively. David remains the only independent MLA in the NI Assembly. He currently sits on the Committee for Social Development.

Likes and Interests

David is a familiar face within the constituency. He cares deeply about education and presently sits on the board of governors at DH Christie Memorial Primary School and Coleraine Academical Institution. David is a committed parishioner at Killowen Parish Church and has been a member of the church choir since the age of 10 along with his wife, Norma.

For many years, David has entertained the local community with his skills on stage. As a family of talented thespians, the McClartys regularly perform in local amateur productions. David and his two sons are members of the Ballwillan Drama Group. David is always a willing MC and will often lend his talent to community groups and charitable events.

David is a huge football supporter. When he gets the opportunity, David enjoys watching his beloved Bannsiders, Coleraine FC or the Mighty Reds, Manchester United. David champions and advocates the Milk Cup tournament not only for the development of local talent, but the huge input it creates for the local economy.

Grassroots

David McClarty was born 23 February 1951 in Coleraine, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He is the 7th of a large family. David has lived, worked and raised his family in his beloved Coleraine all his life. He is married to Norma, a local Coleraine woman and has two sons and a beautiful grand-daughter.

Education

David attended Killowen Primary School as a boy and then moved onto Coleraine Boys Secondary School. He finished his secondary education at Coleraine Academical Institution. David spent his university years at the Magee campus of the University of Ulster where he studied English and the Classics.

Career

David embarked upon a career in insurance underwriting. He worked for a large insurance company as an fire insurance underwriter. He then took up a position in his brother’s consultancy firm as an independent insurance consultant working out of both the Coleraine and Limavady offices. David resigned from the company in 1998 to concentrate full time as a MLA in the new NI Assembly.

David’s political career had begun in 1989 when he was first elected to Coleraine Borough Council. From 1993 to 1995, Councillor McClarty served as a very popular Mayor, a post which he enjoyed because it brought him closer to the people in the Borough. David remains in the Council as one of the longest serving members after being elected in May 2011 for a 6th term in office.

In 1994, David was bestowed the honour of Freeman of the City of London.

In 1998 David’s political career became a full time position after he was successfully returned to the historical first mandate of the newly devolved Northern Ireland Assembly as a Member for East Londonderry.

As a loyal and dedicated member of the Ulster Unionist Party, David was selected to be the party’s Chief Whip in the Northern Ireland Assembly. He served on a number of Committees with the party. He was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House from 2007 to 2011. David relished his time as Deputy Speaker and was very honoured and humbled to be selected following cross community support from the House.

In January 2011, David resigned from the Ulster Unionist Party following an internal conflict that was beyond his control. He stood as an Independent candidate for the Northern Ireland Assembly elections and the Local Government elections in May 2011. David was successfully elected by East Londonderry and Coleraine Central respectively. David remains the only independent MLA in the NI Assembly. He currently sits on the Committee for Social Development.

Likes and Interests

David is a familiar face within the constituency. He cares deeply about education and presently sits on the board of governors at DH Christie Memorial Primary School and Coleraine Academical Institution. David is a committed parishioner at Killowen Parish Church and has been a member of the church choir since the age of 10 along with his wife, Norma.

For many years, David has entertained the local community with his skills on stage. As a family of talented thespians, the McClartys regularly perform in local amateur productions. David and his two sons are members of the Ballwillan Drama Group. David is always a willing MC and will often lend his talent to community groups and charitable events.

David is a huge football supporter. When he gets the opportunity, David enjoys watching his beloved Bannsiders, Coleraine FC or the Mighty Reds, Manchester United. David champions and advocates the Milk Cup tournament not only for the development of local talent, but the huge input it creates for the local economy.