Father of the Dáil
# Father of the Dáil

In Ireland, the term Father of the Dáil (Irish:Athair na Dála) 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.

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 | 1918 election | 4 February 1948 | 23 June 1959 | Fianna Fáil |
| Gerald Boland | 1923 election | 23 June 1959 | 4 October 1961 | Fianna Fáil |
| James Ryan | 1923 election | 23 June 1959 | 7 April 1965 | Fianna Fáil |
| Patrick McGilligan | 1923 election | 23 June 1959 | 7 April 1965 | Fine Gael |
| James Everett | 1923 election | 23 June 1959 | 18 December 1967 | Labour |
| Thomas McEllistrim | 1923 election | 23 June 1959 | 18 June 1969 | Fianna Fáil |
| Frank Aiken | 1923 election | 23 June 1959 | 28 February 1973 | Fianna Fáil |
| Paddy Smith | 1923 election | 23 June 1959 | 5 July 1977 | Fianna Fáil |
| Liam Cosgrave | 1943 election | 5 July 1977 | 11 June 1981 | Fine Gael |
| Dan Spring | 1943 election | 5 July 1977 | 11 June 1981 | Labour |
| Oliver J. Flanagan | 1943 election | 5 July 1977 | 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 | 1961 election | 8 November 1995 | 6 June 1997 | Labour |
| Séamus Pattison | 1961 election | 8 November 1995 | 14 June 2007 | Labour |
| Enda Kenny | 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 | Feb. 1982 election | 14 January 2020 | Incumbent | Fianna Fáil |
