Seán Lemass
Seán Lemass was a prominent Irish politician who served as Taoiseach from 1959 to 1966. A member of Fianna Fáil, he is remembered for modernizing the Irish economy and promoting policies that encouraged foreign investment and industrial growth. His leadership marked a significant shift towards a more open and economically progressive Ireland.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Taoiseach Seán Lemass argued that RTÉ should not be completely independent of government supervision.
RTÉ should be accountable for its spending, but critics’ focus is too selective – The Irish Times
Ireland· 2026-05-29
Ryan was overshadowed by Éamon de Valera and Seán Lemass.
the most influential minister not to have become taoiseach – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-28
Seán Lemass preferred the name 'Fianna Fáil' for the new party over 'Republican Party'.
Fianna Fáil’s founding aims haven’t aged well for the party – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-28
Seán Lemass is described as a really interesting character who laid groundwork for future developments.
‘We don’t learn about Ireland in English schools, which is really weird’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-01-11
Seán Lemass was the taoiseach who turned Ireland into an economic miracle.
If we’re going to start renaming everything, we should dename Ireland – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-06
In a letter to the minister for justice Brian Lenihan snr, taoiseach Seán Lemass wondered if the provisions of a Vatican Council decree on religious liberty might 'permit us to change the law so as to allow divorce and remarriage for those of our citizens whose religion tolerates it.'
Enoch Burke’s ferocious desire for martyrdom has roots in Irish life – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-27
Seán Lemass was the minister for industry and commerce when the airport opened in 1940 and served as taoiseach from 1959 to 1966.
Lemass or Parrott? Bill to rename Dublin Airport brought forward in Dáil – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-25
Seán Lemass paid tribute to WT Cosgrave following his death.
Finola Kennedy on a remarkable friendship between the founder of the Legion of Mary and former president WT Cosgrave – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-17
Seán Lemass is noted for his experience and the less attractive sides of his political career.
Ireland’s taoisigh, from de Valera to Micheál Martin – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-15
Seán Lemass is quoted regarding Ireland's commitment to defending Europe when it joined the European Economic Community.
Ireland’s neutrality is widely regarded as a joke. It’s time we got real – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-01
In 1953, when Seán Lemass was minister for industry and commerce, he planned a systematic review of tariffs.
Tariffs were long a weapon of choice for Ireland as well as the US – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-29
Seán Lemass was taoiseach during the 1966 anniversary of the Rising.
The GPO is not ‘sacred ground’. It’s so much more than that – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-07-05
Seán Lemass was the Irish government head who met Terence O’Neill 40 years later after the initial meetings were abandoned.
Many Northern nationalists doubt Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s commitment to Irish unity – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-06-12
George joined Fianna Éireann as a teenager, fought in the War of Independence, took the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War and, after escaping from prison, worked as secretary for a future Fianna Fáil Taoiseach Seán Lemass.
Disunited Irishmen - Frank McNally on the year Shankill Road protestants paid tribute in Bodenstown and were attacked by the IRA – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-05-15
Seán Lemass made a statement to Gerry L’Estrange in 1966.
A history of Ireland in 25 Dáil insults – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-04-04
Seán Lemass’s economic reforms in the 1960s are noted as a starting point for modernisation in Ireland.
Here’s what I see when I see Irish people at their best – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-03-15
Seán Lemass authored a memorandum in 1944 stating that the Irish needed exceptionally strong central government.
Ministerial overload isn’t going to solve our problems. Neither is Civil Service squeeze – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-02-14
