Paul Connaughton Snr (born 6 June 1944) is a former Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister of State for Land Structure and Development from 1982 to 1987. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway East constituency from 1981 to 2011. He also served as a Senator for the Agricultural Panel from 1977 to 1981. His daughter Sinead Connaughton was a member of Galway County Council representing the Tuam local electoral area from 2003–2009. His son Paul Connaughton Jnr was elected to Galway County Council at the 2009 local elections representing the Ballinasloe local electoral area.