Martin McGowan

Martin Bernard McGowan (7 November 1890 – 14 June 1958) was an Irish politician and teacher.

He was born in Aghamore, Ballyshannon, County Leitrim, to parents James McGowan, national school principal, and Margaret Jane McGowan (née Gallagher). He was educated locally before going to St Patrick's College, Dublin, to train as a primary schoolteacher. He returned to Leitrim after graduation and succeeded his father as principal of Drummons national school. He did not take his seat in the Dáil due to Sinn Féin's abstentionist policy. He was disappointed by the decision of Éamon de Valera to enter the Dáil in 1926, and never joined Fianna Fáil. He did not contest the June 1927 general election.

He joined Clann na Poblachta on its founding in 1946, and served on its national executive. In 1950 he was elected to Leitrim County Council as a Clann na Poblachta candidate and was re-elected in 1955. He stood as a Clann na Poblachta candidate at the 1951 and 1954 general elections for Sligo–Leitrim but was not elected.

He married Mary McGowan in June 1929; and they had seven sons. He died on 14 June 1958.