Father of the Dáil

In Ireland, the term Father of the Dáil (Irish: Athair na Dála^[1]) is an unofficial title applied to the current member of Dáil Éireann with the longest unbroken period of service in the Dail, regardless of their position. The 'Father' has no official role in the business of the House as the title is honorific.

On a number of occasions two or more men have shared the position of Father of the Dáil; there has never been a female holder of the title.

James Everett was joint Father of the Dáil at his death in 1967. Oliver J. Flanagan's death occurred two months after his retirement in 1987. Neil Blaney's death in 1995 occurred while he was Father of the Dáil.^[2]

The current Fathers of the Dáil are Richard Bruton and Willie O'Dea having both been first elected to the Dáil in the February 1982 general election. Bernard Durkan was elected at the 1981 general election, but lost his seat in February 1982 and was re-elected in November 1982, so he does not have an unbroken record of service.

Fathers of the Dáil

Name	Entered Dáil	Became Father	Left Dáil	Party
Frank Fahy	1918 election	4 February 1948	12 July 1953		Fianna Fáil
Éamon de Valera			23 June 1959		Fianna Fáil
Gerald Boland	1923 election	23 June 1959	4 October 1961		Fianna Fáil
James Ryan			7 April 1965		Fianna Fáil
Patrick McGilligan			7 April 1965		Fine Gael
James Everett			18 December 1967		Labour
Thomas McEllistrim			18 June 1969		Fianna Fáil
Frank Aiken			28 February 1973		Fianna Fáil
Paddy Smith			5 July 1977		Fianna Fáil
Liam Cosgrave	1943 election	5 July 1977	11 June 1981		Fine Gael
Dan Spring			11 June 1981		Labour
Oliver J. Flanagan			17 February 1987		Fine Gael
Neil Blaney	Dec. 1948 by-election	17 February 1987	8 November 1995		Independent Fianna Fáil
Paddy Harte	1961 election	8 November 1995	6 June 1997		Fine Gael
Seán Treacy			6 June 1997		Labour
Séamus Pattison			14 June 2007		Labour
Enda Kenny[3]	Nov. 1975 by-election	14 June 2007	14 January 2020		Fine Gael
Richard Bruton	Feb. 1982 election	14 January 2020	Incumbent		Fine Gael
Willie O'Dea					Fianna Fáil

See also

• Father of the House
• Baby of the Dáil
• Records of members of the Oireachtas

References

1. "Cad iad na suíocháin slán sabháilte?". 18 February 2016.
2. Doyle, Louise (12 November 2020). "The Way We Were - 25 Years Ago: November 11, 1995 - Farewell to Father of the Dáil". Donegal News. p. 18.
3. "Why Taoiseach Enda doesn't sound so funny". Irish Independent. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 14 June 2009.