The first and only president of Ireland to die in office
Erskine Childers: an unbroken 35-year Dáil career, during nearly 30 of which he was a minister, preceded his election as president. Photograph: Getty ImagesAlthough he has the dubious distinctions of being the shortest-term president of Ireland and the first and only one to die in office, Erskine Hamilton Childers had an unbroken 35-year Dáil career, during nearly 30 of which he was a minister.
Following his graduation from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1928, with a degree in history and politics, he worked in Paris as a travel agent before moving to Ireland where he was successively advertising manager for de Valera’s Irish Press, secretary of the National Agricultural and Industrial Development Association and secretary of the Federation of Irish Manufacturers.
Economics and industrial development were his main contributions to Dáil debates and from 1944 to 1948 he served as a parliamentary secretary , mainly in local government, where he organised the county engineering service, formulated the Public Libraries Act and introduced a number of road-safety measures. When Fianna Fáil returned to power in 1951, he was made minister for posts and telegraphs; at 45, he was the youngest member of cabinet.
When the situation in Northern Ireland erupted, he took a conciliatory approach, strongly opposed the use of violence and was deeply hostile to Neil Blaney and Charles Haughey during the so-called “arms crisis”. Although his stance caused some unease in Monaghan Fianna Fáil circles, he topped the poll for the first time in his career at the 1973 general election.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
– Brian Maye on scientist and politician James LoganIn 1699, he sailed with William Penn to America to what became known as Pennsylvania
Read more »
Bridges to the past – Brian Maye on architect John BensonAn impressive and lasting impact on the cityscape of Cork
Read more »
Brian Dowling on ‘super emotional’ goodbye to Arthur Gourounlian’s mum as she returns homeThe Dancing with the Stars judge’s mum Maria has been visiting for three months after arriving in July, but she returned home to France leaving Arthur and Brian emotional
Read more »
Brian Stanley blasts 'certain clique' as he sensationally resigns from Sinn FéinThe politician announced on Saturday evening that he is leaving the party but will remain a “republican TD”
Read more »
Complaint made against Brian Stanley handled fairly, Sinn Féin TD insistsMr Stanley, who now describes himself as an Independent republican TD, strenuously denied any wrongdoing insisting the complaint was politically motivated and disputed the version of events which the woman presented to the Sinn Féin inquiry
Read more »
Brian O'Driscoll tells Ryan Tubridy about what scared him as Ireland captainLeinster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions legend Brian O'Driscoll tells Ryan Tubridy about his struggle with being thrust into the limelight at a young age
Read more »