Michelle O'Neill: Her path from Fermoy to Northern Ireland's first minister

Michelle O'Neill entered local politics in 2005 and was first elected as an MLA in 2007, she had her first ministerial role in 2011 and will now become first minister

Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O'Neill in the office of First Minister. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

From a background steeped in Irish republicanism, Michelle O’Neill has risen to make history as Northern Ireland’s first nationalist first minister.

Ms O’Neill, 47, was on Saturday appointed to the position she became entitled to by leading Sinn Féin to victory in the 2022 Assembly elections. She has pledged to work with unionists to build a better future for Northern Ireland.