Irish Government Trivia

1. Who was the first President of the Republic of Ireland?

From Quiz Presidents of the Republic of Ireland

Answer: Douglas Hyde

Douglas Hyde was elected as President of Ireland on 25th June 1938. He served one term of office until 1945. In 1893 he helped to found the Gaelic League.

From Quiz Charles Stewart Parnell

Answer: Katherine O' Shea

She was given the derogatory nickname 'Kitty O' Shea' by members of the public. It is widely acknowledged that the discovery of their ongoing affair led the political downfall of Parnell himself and caused a scandal that caused a bitter divide in Irish politics for more than a decade.

From Quiz Irish Politicians

Answer: Bertie Ahern

The Irish Prime Minister is known as An Taoiseach (pronounced ONN THEE-SHUCK).

From Quiz Irish Political Parties and Leaders

Answer: Bertie Ahern

He is well known for dropping his 'h's and his ability to talk around rather than answer questions.

From Quiz Presidents of the Republic of Ireland

Answer: Mary Robinson

Mary Robinson served one term of office from 1990-1997.

From Quiz Irish History & Politics

Answer: The Soldier's Song

Written by Peader Kearney in 1907 (the music was in collaboration with Patrick Heeney) it was formally adopted as the national anthem in 1926, replacing the earlier "God Save Ireland".

From Quiz Charles Stewart Parnell

Answer: Captain William Henry O' Shea

Captain O' Shea was a prominent and controversial member of the Irish Home Rule Party. He refused to take the party pledge, and often sat with the Liberals in the House of Commons, a fact which made him unpopular with the Irish party members. It is widely assumed that he was aware of the affair between his wife and Parnell, and may even have encouraged it for his own political gain.

From Quiz Irish Politicians

Answer: Henry

T.D. stands for Teachta Dáile meaning 'a representative in parliament'.

From Quiz Irish Political Parties and Leaders

Answer: Democratic Left

Mr De Rossa formed the party in 1992 and was re-elected as its leader twice before its merger.

From Quiz Presidents of the Republic of Ireland

Answer: Éamon de Valera

Éamon de Valera was born in New York in 1882 to Catherine Coll and Juan Vivion de Valera. Catherine Coll was originally from Co. Limerick and his father was a sculptor from Cuba. After the death of his father in 1885 Éamon de Valera was brought to Ireland and raised by his grandmother in Co. Limerick.

From Quiz Charles Stewart Parnell

Answer: May

The Kilmainham Treaty is widely regarded as one of Parnell's best achievements, as it gained concessions for poor landowners in Ireland, brought an almost complete stop to agrarian agitation and also cemented his alliance with Gladstone. It was agreed on May 2nd 1882.

From Quiz Irish Politicians

Answer: Mary

The were Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese. The President of Ireland lives in the former Vice-Regal Lodge in Phoenix Park, Dublin. It is called Arus An Uachtaráin (pronounced AW-RUSS ONN OOK-THOR-AWN) and means 'the residence of the President'.

From Quiz Irish Political Parties and Leaders

Answer: Mary Harney

Mary Harney founded the Progressive Democrats in 1985 with Desmon O Malley. She became its leader in 1993 and Tainste in 1997. Tanaiste is the "second-in-command" in the state.

From Quiz Presidents of the Republic of Ireland

Answer: England

Erskine Childers was elected President in 1973 and served until his death due to a heart attack in November 1974.

From Quiz Charles Stewart Parnell

Answer: The Uncrowned King of Ireland

This biography provides a fascinating insight into the domestic affair between Parnell and Katherine O' Shea, but is surprisingly vague on key areas of their relationship, for example, their children. However, it has been suggested that Gerard O' Shea (Katherine's son by Cpt. William O' Shea) stepped in and edited the book without his mother's knowledge, in order to preserve his late father's reputation.

From Quiz Irish Politicians

Answer: A flat cap

Jackie's son Michael was elected to Kerry County Council and also wore a flat cap!

From Quiz Irish Political Parties and Leaders

Answer: Fine Gael

In a poll conducted in 2004 only 48% of voters could name the leader of Fine Gael, despite the fact that it was the second largest party in Ireland. This really doesn't say much for his personality or his ability to use the media effectively.

From Quiz Presidents of the Republic of Ireland

Answer: Patrick Hillery

Patrick Hillary was elected the 6th President in 1976 and was subsequently elected for a second term in office. He declined the wedding invitation from Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of Charles Haughey, the Taoiseach at the time. He died in 2008 at his home in Dublin following a short illness.

From Quiz Charles Stewart Parnell

Answer: 24th December, 1889

When O' Shea filed for divorce citing Parnell as a co-respondent, no-one within Parnell's inner circle was surprised, as the affair had been common knowledge within the party for some time. However, they were worried about the possible reprecussions for the party, but when they appealed to Parnell, he assured them that 'he would be vindicated'. This was not to be, and the party was torn in two.

From Quiz Irish Politicians

Answer: The Green Party

Trevor Sargent T.D., was elected leader of the Green Party at a special Leadership Convention in Kilkenny on 6 October 2001.

From Quiz Presidents of the Republic of Ireland

Answer: Sneem, Co. Kerry

Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh was elected 5th President of Ireland in 1974. After a difference with the government he resigned from office in October 1976. He died two years later in 1978.

From Quiz Irish History & Politics

Answer: The Harp

Although the Shamrock is traditionally associated with Ireland the Harp has been used as a symbol for many centuries. The design of the heraldic harp is based on the "Brian Boru Harp", which is preserved in Dublin's Trinity College.

From Quiz Charles Stewart Parnell

Answer: Timothy Healy

This comment was greeted with cries of outrage from the Parnellite faction, and Parnell himself demanded that Healy take back his remark. Healy did so, and thereafter remained silent, confident (as he later noted in his memoirs) that his remark would live on in the memories of those who had heard it. As he said himself, the damage had been done.

From Quiz Irish Politicians

Answer: Pat Rabbitte

Pat Rabbitte appeared so often on Irish television, that his opponents joked that he must have a sleeping-bag under a desk in RTE!

From Quiz Irish Political Parties and Leaders

Answer: Labour

Labour lost a number of seats in the 2002 general election prompting the resignation of Mr Quinn and his replacement by Mr Rabitt.

From Quiz Presidents of the Republic of Ireland

Answer: Mary McAleese

Mary McAleese was elected to office in 1997 and is the 8th President of Ireland. She was elected for a second term in 2004 and is the second female President of Ireland. She is also the world's first female to succeed another female as elected head of state.

From Quiz Charles Stewart Parnell

Answer: Wicklow

Parnell and all his siblings were born on this estate in Co. Wicklow, which Parnell later inherited along with its debts. In fact these debts were so sizeable that at one point he was investigating the possibility of mortgaging the estate. This information was leaked to the public, whereupon an immediate collection was undertaken nationwide, which eventually amounted to £40,000, an enormous sum. This was then presented to Parnell at a ceremony. However, he was very embarassed to be the recipient of such charity, and was consequently rather stiff and reserved when taking the money. In fact, it was said by some onlookers that he was positively ungrateful. However, he put the money to good use, and that which was not needed to pay off debts he put back into the Land League.

From Quiz Irish Politicians

Answer: John Deasy

Deasy once spoke of being a possible future leader of Fine Gael.

From Quiz Irish Political Parties and Leaders

Answer: Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein increased its share of the electoral vote in 2002. Much of the controversy surrounded its links with paramilitary and terrorist organisations such as the IRA, of which it was generally accepted to be the political wing (although for presentational reasons it always denied this).

From Quiz Presidents of the Republic of Ireland

Answer: Seán T. O'Kelly

Seán T. O'Kelly was the second President of the Republic of Ireland and was elected as President in 1945. He served two terms in office from June 1945 - June 1959.

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