Fianna Fáil celebrates 80 years
Fianna Fáil stalwarts gather in Dublin today to toast the party’s 80th anniversary.
Taoiseach and sixth party leader Bertie Ahern will host a special reception in the Mansion House, where he will deliver a keynote address before invited guests.
Family representatives of former party leaders Charlie Haughey, Jack Lynch, Sean Lemass and party founder Eamon De Valera will be present.
Other special guests include former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, ex-president and Fianna Fáil minister Dr Patrick Hillery and current and previous Cabinet members.
Actor Barry McGovern will open celebrations at 7pm with a performance of De Valera’s original address to the inaugural meeting of Fianna Fáil in Dublin’s La Scala Theatre in May 1926.
A historical narrative on the achievements of the party will then be delivered by Minister for Children Brian Lenihan.
The state’s largest political party, it has spent over half a century serving in governments on its own or with smaller parties.
The guests will also be treated to an archival exhibition: ’The Advance of a Nation – 80 Years of Fianna Fáil’ which features photographs, election leaflets, historic posters and internal party letters.
“The Mansion House is a particularly appropriate venue, as the first Dáil convened in its Round Room in 1919 and the building also hosted Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheiseanna for over 40 years,” a party spokesman said.
