Martin McGuinness was born on May 23, 1950, in Northern Ireland. He grew up in a working-class family and as a young man, he became involved in the Irish Republican movement. In 1969, at the age of 19, he joined the Official IRA, a splinter group of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). By 1972, he had risen to the position of second-in-command of the IRA in Derry, a city in Northern Ireland.
McGuinness's involvement in the IRA would shape his political career. In 1982, he became a member of Sinn Féin, the political party associated with the IRA. He quickly rose through the ranks of the party, using his background in the IRA to gain influence within the republican movement.
In 2007, McGuinness made history when he was appointed as the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. This marked a significant moment in the peace process in Northern Ireland, as McGuinness, a former IRA leader, was now in a position of power within the government.
In 2011, McGuinness ran in the election to be President of Ireland. While he ultimately was not successful in his bid for the presidency, his candidacy sparked debate and brought attention to his background in the IRA.
McGuinness married Bernadette Canning in 1974, and together they had four children. Despite his busy political career, McGuinness remained dedicated to his family and was a loving husband and father.
Throughout his career, Martin McGuinness was a controversial figure. To some, he was a hero of the republican movement, a freedom fighter who fought against British rule in Northern Ireland. To others, he was a terrorist, responsible for violence and death during the Troubles.
Regardless of one's opinion of McGuinness, it cannot be denied that he played a significant role in the history of Northern Ireland. His journey from a young man in the IRA to a key figure in the peace process stands as a testament to the complex nature of conflict and reconciliation.
On March 21, 2017, Martin McGuinness passed away at the age of 66. His death marked the end of an era in Northern Ireland, but his legacy lives on in the hearts of those who remember him.