# 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. 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.
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 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 | 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 | 8 November 2024 | Fine Gael |
| Willie O'Dea | Feb. 1982 election | 14 January 2020 | 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 |
| Constance Markievicz | 1918 election | 14 December 1918 | 15 July 1927 | Fianna Fáil |
| Caitlín Brugha | 1923 election | 15 July 1927 | 15 September 1927 | Sinn Féin |
| Margaret Collins-O'Driscoll | 1923 election | 15 July 1927 | 24 January 1933 | Cumann na nGaedheal |
| Helena Concannon | 1933 election | 24 January 1933 | 1 July 1937 | Fianna Fáil |
| Margaret Mary Pearse | 1933 election | 24 January 1933 | 1 July 1937 | Fianna Fáil |
| Bridget Redmond | 1933 election | 24 January 1933 | 3 May 1952 | Cumann na nGaedheal |
| Bridget Redmond | 1933 election | 24 January 1933 | 3 May 1952 | Fine Gael |
| Mary Reynolds | 1932 election | 3 May 1952 | 4 October 1961 | Cumann na nGaedheal |
| Mary Reynolds | 1932 election | 3 May 1952 | 4 October 1961 | 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 |
| Mary Harney | 1981 election | 6 June 1997 | 25 February 2011 | Progressive Democrats |
| Mary Harney | 1981 election | 6 June 1997 | 25 February 2011 | Independent |
| Róisín Shortall | 1992 election | 25 February 2011 | 29 November 2024 | Labour |
| Róisín Shortall | 1992 election | 25 February 2011 | 29 November 2024 | Independent |
| Róisín Shortall | 1992 election | 25 February 2011 | 29 November 2024 | Social Democrats |
| Mary Lou McDonald | 2011 election | 29 November 2024 | Incumbent | Sinn Féin |
* ↑ 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.