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. However, the term "Mother of the Dáil" is used on occasion to refer to the current female member of Dáil Éireann with the longest unbroken period of service.^[2]

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.^[3]

The current Father of the Dáil is Willie O'Dea who was first elected to the Dáil at the February 1982 general election, while the current Mother of the Dáil is Mary Lou McDonald who was first elected at the 2011 general election.

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[4]	Nov. 1975 by-election	14 June 2007	14 January 2020		Fine Gael
Richard Bruton	Feb. 1982 election	14 January 2020	8 November 2024		Fine Gael
Willie O'Dea			Incumbent		Fianna Fáil

Mothers of the Dáil

Name	Entered Dáil	Became Mother	Left Dáil	Party
Constance Markievicz	1918 election	14 December 1918	15 July 1927		Sinn Féin
					Fianna Fáil
Caitlín Brugha	1923 election	15 July 1927	15 September 1927		Sinn Féin
Margaret Collins-O'Driscoll			24 January 1933		Cumann na nGaedheal
Helena Concannon	1933 election	24 January 1933	1 July 1937		Fianna Fáil
Margaret Mary Pearse					Fianna Fáil
Bridget Redmond			3 May 1952		Cumann na nGaedheal
					Fine Gael
Mary Reynolds[a]	1932 election	3 May 1952	4 October 1961		Cumann na nGaedheal
					Fine Gael
Honor Crowley	Dec. 1945 by-election, Kerry South	4 October 1961	18 October 1966		Fianna Fáil
Celia Lynch	1954 election	18 October 1966	6 June 1977		Fianna Fáil
Joan Burke	Jul. 1964 by-election	6 June 1977	11 June 1981		Fine Gael
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn	Mar. 1975 by-election, Galway West	11 June 1981	6 June 1997		Fine Gael
Mary Harney	1981 election	6 June 1997	25 February 2011		Fianna Fáil
					Progressive Democrats
					Independent
Róisín Shortall	1992 election	25 February 2011	29 November 2024		Labour
					Independent
					Social Democrats
Mary Lou McDonald	2011 election	29 November 2024	Incumbent		Sinn Féin

1. Mary Reynolds was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1932 election but subsequently lost her seat at the 1933 election, therefore her continuous time as a TD is measured from 1937, when she regained her seat.

See also

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