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Quick facts for kids Seán Lemass
Lemass in 1966

4th Taoiseach
In office 23 June 1959 – 10 November 1966
President	Seán T. O'Kelly Éamon de Valera
Tánaiste	Seán MacEntee Frank Aiken
Preceded by	Éamon de Valera
Succeeded by	Jack Lynch
Leader of Fianna Fáil
In office 23 June 1959 – 10 November 1966
Preceded by	Éamon de Valera
Succeeded by	Jack Lynch
Tánaiste
In office 20 March 1957 – 23 June 1959
Taoiseach	Éamon de Valera
Preceded by	William Norton
Succeeded by	Seán MacEntee
In office 13 June 1951 – 2 June 1954
Taoiseach	Éamon de Valera
Preceded by	William Norton
Succeeded by	William Norton
In office 14 June 1945 – 18 February 1948
Taoiseach	Éamon de Valera
Preceded by	Seán T. O'Kelly
Succeeded by	William Norton
Minister for Industry and Commerce
In office 20 March 1957 – 23 June 1959
Taoiseach	Éamon de Valera
Preceded by	William Norton
Succeeded by	Jack Lynch
In office 13 June 1951 – 2 June 1954
Taoiseach	Éamon de Valera
Preceded by	Thomas F. O'Higgins
Succeeded by	William Norton
In office 18 August 1941 – 18 February 1948
Taoiseach	Éamon de Valera
Preceded by	Seán MacEntee
Succeeded by	Daniel Morrissey
In office 9 March 1932 – 16 September 1939
Taoiseach	Éamon de Valera
Preceded by	Patrick McGilligan
Succeeded by	Seán MacEntee
Minister for Supplies
In office 8 September 1939 – 31 July 1945
Taoiseach	Éamon de Valera
Preceded by	New office
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Teachta Dála
In office February 1948 – June 1969
Constituency	Dublin South-Central
In office November 1924 – February 1948
Constituency	Dublin South

Personal details
Born	John Francis Lemass (1899-07-15)15 July 1899 Ballybrack, Dublin, Ireland
Died	11 May 1971(1971-05-11) (aged 71) Phibsborough, Dublin, Ireland
Resting place	Deansgrange, Dublin, Ireland
Political party	Fianna Fáil
Spouse	Kathleen Hughes (m. 1924)
Relations	Charles Haughey (son-in-law) Seán Haughey (grandson) Eileen Lemass (daughter-in-law)
Children	4, including Maureen and Noel
Education	O'Connell School

Seán Lemass (born John Francis Lemass; 15 July 1899 – 11 May 1971) was a very important Irish politician. He served as Taoiseach (Ireland's Prime Minister) and leader of the Fianna Fáil party from 1959 to 1966. He also held other key roles like Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Industry and Commerce. He was a Teachta Dála (TD), which is a member of the Irish parliament, from 1924 to 1969.

Lemass was involved in major events in Irish history, including the Easter Rising in 1916, the Irish War of Independence, and the Irish Civil War. He helped found the Fianna Fáil party in 1926. Many people see him as the "father of modern Ireland" because he worked hard to grow industries, attract foreign businesses, and connect Ireland with Europe. One of his most famous changes was introducing free secondary education, which started soon after he retired.

Early Life and His Role in Irish Independence

Seán Lemass was born in Ballybrack, Dublin, on 15 July 1899. He was the second of seven children. His family ran a hat and outfitter business in Dublin city centre. He was a good student at O'Connell School, especially in history and maths.

In January 1915, when he was just 15, Lemass joined the Irish Volunteers. He was part of the 3rd Battalion of the Dublin Brigade, where Éamon de Valera was an officer. During the Easter Rising in 1916, Lemass and his brother Noel joined the Volunteers at the General Post Office in Dublin. He fought on the roof and on Moore Street. After the Rising failed, he was held for a month but released because of his young age.

Fighting for Irish Freedom

After the Easter Rising, Lemass stayed active in the Irish Volunteers, helping to find weapons. During the Irish War of Independence, he was part of actions against British agents in Dublin. This period included Bloody Sunday on 21 November 1920. Lemass was arrested in December 1920 and held in Ballykinlar Camp in County Down.

The Irish Civil War

Lemass was released in December 1921 after the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed. He was one of the people, like de Valera, who did not support the Treaty. When the Irish Civil War began, he joined the anti-Treaty side. He was involved when a group took over the Four Courts building in Dublin. After the Four Courts surrendered, Lemass escaped and continued fighting in a "Flying Column" in the countryside. He was captured again in December 1922.

In 1923, after the Civil War ended, Seán's brother Noel, who was also an anti-Treaty officer, was taken by unknown men and later found dead. Seán Lemass was released from prison because of this family tragedy. On 18 November 1924, he was elected as a Sinn Féin TD for the first time. This marked the start of his long career in Irish politics.

Building a Political Career

Lemass being carried by supporters after his election win in 1924. This was the start of his long career in the Dáil.

In 1926, Éamon de Valera, with Lemass's help, tried to convince Sinn Féin to accept the Irish Free State and take their seats in the Dáil. When this failed, de Valera and Lemass left Sinn Féin. Lemass encouraged de Valera to form a new political party.

In May 1926, they started planning this new party, which became Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party. Lemass traveled around Ireland to gather support. Most Sinn Féin TDs joined the new party. Fianna Fáil was against the division of Ireland but accepted that the Irish Free State existed. They also wanted to remove the controversial Oath of Allegiance.

Thanks to Lemass's great organizing skills, Fianna Fáil did very well in the June 1927 election, winning 44 seats. At first, they refused to take their seats in the Dáil because of the Oath. However, after a new law was passed that required all candidates to agree to take the oath if elected, de Valera and the Fianna Fáil TDs entered the Dáil in August 1927. Lemass was a strong voice for the party, criticizing the government's economic policies.

Minister for Industry and Commerce

Lemass in 1932

In 1932, Fianna Fáil came into power and stayed in government for 16 years. Éamon de Valera became the leader, and he appointed Lemass as Minister for Industry and Commerce. This was a very important job.

Lemass had to help Irish industries grow and convince the government to support state-owned businesses. During the Great Depression, he and de Valera were involved in the Anglo-Irish Trade War (1933-1938), which caused problems for the Irish economy.

To help industries, Lemass set up the Industrial Credit Corporation in 1933. He also created several state-owned companies, like the Irish Sugar Company for sugar-beet, the Turf Development Board for peat, and Aer Lingus, Ireland's airline. Lemass later said that Aer Lingus was his "proudest achievement." These companies helped create jobs and develop management skills in Ireland.

Minister for Supplies During World War II

When World War II (called "The Emergency" in Ireland) started in 1939, Lemass became Minister for Supplies. This was a vital role because Ireland remained neutral. He had the difficult job of making sure Ireland had enough resources. In 1941, the Irish Shipping Company was created to bring essential supplies into the country. However, things like petrol and some foods were still in short supply.

In 1945, when Seán T. O'Kelly became President, de Valera chose Lemass to be Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister).

After the War: Economic Challenges

After World War II, Ireland received $100 million from the Marshall Aid Plan, mostly used for roads. However, many people still left Ireland to find work, especially in Britain. The population of the Republic continued to drop until the 1960s.

In 1948, Fianna Fáil lost power. Lemass played a key role in reorganizing the party while they were in opposition. This helped Fianna Fáil return to power in 1951. Lemass again became Minister for Industry and Commerce. He believed Ireland needed a new economic plan, but others in the government disagreed.

Fianna Fáil lost power again in 1954. In 1957, Éamon de Valera, who was 75, announced he would retire. He agreed to be Taoiseach one more time until 1959, when he became President. Lemass returned as Tánaiste and Minister for Industry and Commerce. In 1958, the first "Programme for Economic Development" was launched, which would become very important under Lemass.

Seán Lemass as Taoiseach (1959–1966)

On 23 June 1959, Seán Lemass became Taoiseach. Many wondered if Fianna Fáil could succeed without de Valera. However, Lemass quickly took charge. He was 59, much younger than de Valera, and brought a new energy to the government.

Lemass also brought in younger politicians like Charles Haughey and Jack Lynch into his cabinet. This helped to transition from the older generation of leaders to a new, more modern group. By 1965, most of the original Fianna Fáil founders had retired, leaving Lemass to lead a new team.

The time when Lemass was Taoiseach (1959-1966) is often called the "Lemass era." This was a time of big economic changes in Ireland. Lemass had a background in business, which was different from de Valera's more academic approach. Other factors also helped, like the work of T. K. Whitaker in the Department of Finance and the arrival of television.

During this time, the IDA worked hard to attract good industries to Ireland. RTÉ (Ireland's national broadcaster) was created, and the number of people leaving Ireland decreased. The population even started to grow for the first time in many years.

Economic Growth and Change

Lemass believed that "A rising tide lifts all boats." This meant that if the Irish economy grew stronger, everyone, rich and poor, would benefit.

First Economic Programme

The First Programme for Economic Expansion, based on ideas from T. K. Whitaker, became government policy in 1959. This plan moved Ireland away from its old policy of "protectionism," where it tried to protect its own industries by making foreign goods expensive. Instead, the new plan offered tax breaks and grants to foreign companies that wanted to set up businesses in Ireland. It also planned to invest a lot of state money in national development.

This programme helped end protectionism. The "Control of Manufacturers Act," which Lemass himself had introduced in 1932, was removed. The economy improved, and unemployment fell by a third. Emigration also went down a lot, and the population grew for the first time since the Great Famine.

The programme also prepared Ireland for free trade. In 1960, Ireland joined the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which aimed to lower trade barriers worldwide. In 1961, Ireland tried to join the European Economic Community (EEC), but it was unsuccessful. Lemass saw this as his biggest disappointment. Ireland finally joined the EEC in 1973, after his death. In 1965, Ireland signed an important trade agreement with Britain.

Second Economic Programme

A Second Programme for Economic Expansion was launched in 1963. This plan had even bigger goals, especially for education, with plans to double spending. It also focused on dairy farming. This second programme was stopped in 1967, after Lemass had left office.

Social Changes in Ireland

The economic growth led to more industries and more people living in cities. As people became more prosperous, Irish society became less isolated and more open. The start of Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), the national television service, on 31 December 1961, played a big part in this change. TV shows from Ireland and abroad helped change people's attitudes.

In 1963, John F. Kennedy, the US President, visited Ireland. He was the great-grandson of an Irish emigrant. His visit seemed to symbolize a new era for Ireland after the Famine. Kennedy visited his relatives in County Wexford and also went to Dublin, Cork, and Limerick. He later said his visit to Ireland was one of his most enjoyable.

In 1965, a report called "Investment in Education" showed that Ireland's education system had not changed much in over 40 years. Lemass appointed smart young men like Patrick Hillery and George Colley as Minister for Education, and they slowly began to make changes.

The most important change in education came in 1966 when Donogh O'Malley became Minister. He announced that from 1969, all secondary schools up to Intermediate level would be free, and free buses would take students to school. Lemass supported this plan, which was a huge and innovative step. This free education system has continued ever since.

Lemass's time as Taoiseach also saw improvements in welfare, like old-age pension insurance for many workers and extended child allowances.

Relations with Northern Ireland

After the IRA border campaign failed in the 1950s, Lemass began a new approach to Northern Ireland. Even though he believed in a united Ireland, he understood that it wouldn't happen soon. He stopped using strong nationalist language that had not helped the situation for many years.

In 1963, Terence O'Neill became the new Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. He was younger and more practical than the previous leader. Through secret talks, O'Neill invited Lemass to visit him in Belfont.

On 14 January 1965, Lemass secretly traveled to Belfast. Even his own cabinet was not told until the last minute. The meeting received mixed reactions in Northern Ireland, but in the Republic, it was seen as a sign that the "Irish Cold War" was ending. Lemass invited O'Neill to Dublin on 9 February. The two leaders discussed working together on economic matters, local services, agriculture, and all-Ireland teams in sports.

These meetings brought a new sense of hope, especially in the Republic. However, hardline unionists in Northern Ireland, led by Ian Paisley, continued to oppose any dealings with the Republic. The rise of the civil rights movement and the unionists' refusal to accept it led to violence in 1969, after Lemass had left office.

Ireland's Place in the World

The Lemass era also saw important changes in Ireland's foreign policy. Frank Aiken was the Minister for External Affairs during Lemass's time as Taoiseach. At the United Nations, Ireland took an independent stance. It supported China joining the UN, even though the United States strongly disagreed. Ireland played a big role at the UN, serving on the Security Council in 1962 and supporting nuclear arms limits.

A big debate during these years was about Ireland's neutrality. Lemass was not sure about staying neutral if Ireland joined the European Economic Community. Aiken, however, preferred a neutral, independent approach. In 1960, Irish troops went on their first peace-keeping mission in the Congo.

Personal Life and Retirement

On 24 August 1924, Seán Lemass married Kathleen Hughes. They had four children: Maureen, Peggy, Noel, and Sheila. Maureen Lemass later married Charles Haughey, who also became a leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach.

Retirement from Politics

In 1966, Ireland celebrated 50 years since the 1916 Easter Rising. On 10 November 1966, Lemass announced his decision to retire as Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach. He simply stated, "I have resigned." Lemass then became a regular TD until 1969.

On the day Lemass retired, Jack Lynch became the new leader and Taoiseach.

His Final Years

Towards the end of his time as leader, Lemass's health began to decline. He had been a heavy pipe smoker for most of his life. In February 1971, he became unwell at a rugby game and was told one of his lungs was about to collapse.

Seán Lemass died on 11 May 1971, at the age of 71, in the Mater Hospital in Dublin. He was given a state funeral and buried in Deansgrange Cemetery.

Lemass's Lasting Impact

Seán Lemass is still seen as one of Ireland's most important Taoiseachs. Even later Taoiseachs from other parties, like Garret FitzGerald and John Bruton, praised him as the best leader and someone they wanted to follow. Some historians wonder if he became Taoiseach too late, suggesting he could have started Ireland's modernization even earlier. Others believe he was able to make changes because de Valera was still the leader, giving him support.

It is clear that Seán Lemass and Éamon de Valera had very different ideas for Ireland. De Valera imagined a quiet, rural society, while Lemass dreamed of a modern, industrial country that was part of the European Community. Lemass was also less interested in the revival of the Irish language compared to de Valera.

Famous Words from Seán Lemass

'Fianna Fáil is a slightly constitutional party...but before anything we are a republican party.' (1928)
'A rising tide lifts all boats.' (1964, a phrase also used by John F. Kennedy).
'The historical task of this generation, as I see it, is to consolidate the economic foundations of our political independence.' (1959)
'First and foremost we wish to see the re-unification of Ireland restored. By every test Ireland is one nation with a fundamental right to have its essential unity expressed in its political institutions.' (1960)
'The country is, I think, like an aeroplane at the take-off stage. It has become airborne; that is the stage of maximum risk and any failure of power could lead to a crash. It will be a long time before we can throttle back to level flight.' (1961)
'A defeatist attitude now would surely lead to defeat...We can't opt out of the future.' (1965)
'I regret that time would not stand still for me so that I could go on indefinitely.' (1966)
'RTE was set up by legislation as an instrument of public policy, and, as such is responsible to the government.' (1966)

Governments Led by Seán Lemass

9th Government of Ireland (June 1959 – October 1961)
10th Government of Ireland (October 1961 – April 1965)
11th Government of Ireland (April 1965 – November 1966)

Images for kids

Ireland's population changes from 1841 to 1961.
Seán Lemass in 1947.