Byelection, by-election or bye-election? Whatever way you spell it, the fact is that the constituencies of Dublin Central and Dublin South will go to the polls after all to select new TDs on June 5th, in succession to the late Seamus Brennan and Tony Gregory.
Jack Lynch (1917-99): two by-election defeats put paid to his leadership
It’s Easter and we’re all too worn-out physically, emotionally and above all politically to enjoy the break properly. What a hectic time! But before we start the annual guilty nibbling at those calorie-rich chocolate eggs, let’s take stock of where we are.
Good Friday 1998: John Hume gives thanks for the peace agreement, with Eddie McGrady (left) and Sean Farren (Photograph by Alan Betson) (more…)
The positive side of Irish politics was on view at the emotional farewell to the late Séamus Brennan. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, the Greens - they were all there to say goodbye to someone whose engaging personality transcended political barriers. Such was the crowd at the church that it looked at one point as if even Bertie Ahern and Brian Lenihan were going to have to stand throughout the ceremony. (more…)
Seamus Brennan came up with one of the best summations for Bertie Ahern, when Ahern was Fianna Fail chief whip at a time the party was riven by splits and sulphorous enmities.
“As chief whip, Bertie Ahern learned to come down the white line and take both sides of the street with him. I don’t know how he got away with it.” (more…)
