Member for West Belfast since 1983. Political career: Member of Parliament 1983-92, elected President of Sinn Fein 1983, re-elected to parliament 1997. Special political interests: International affairs, particularly South Africa and the Middle East. Education: St Finian's Primary School; St Mary's Grammar School, Belfast. Author of: Before the Dawn; A Pathway to Peace; Towards a Lasting Peace; Falls Memories Cage 11; The Street and Other Stories; Gerry Adams, Selected Writings; An Irish Journal; A Quest for Peace; Who Fears to Speak. Hobbies: Walking, listening to music, reading, writing.
b. 5 October 1948, Belfast. Married with one child.