Why did Séan Lemass resign?

In this era of retiring Taoisigh and issues related, this question has been bugging me for the past few weeks and I'd like some comhrá about it here on the Machine Nation.

The way I see it is that Séan Lemass was in strong command of a powerful Fianna Fáil, the economy was performing reasonably well, he had a great sense of leadership and had nearly a full term before him when he resigned.

Why?

He could have served for longer than Bertie Ahern if he stayed on instead of resigning so early.

Ard-Taoiseach wrote:

In this era of retiring Taoisigh and issues related, this question has been bugging me for the past few weeks and I'd like some comhrá about it here on the Machine Nation.

The way I see it is that Séan Lemass was in strong command of a powerful Fianna Fáil, the economy was performing reasonably well, he had a great sense of leadership and had nearly a full term before him when he resigned.

Why?

He could have served for longer than Bertie Ahern if he stayed on instead of resigning so early.

I think it was ill-health Ard - he was getting on - he had to wait near 40 years in Dev's Shadow before finally getting the top job.

He resigned in 66 and I think he died in 69

Also - I think he slightly concerned about the rise of his son in law too!

Edo wrote:

Ard-Taoiseach wrote:

In this era of retiring Taoisigh and issues related, this question has been bugging me for the past few weeks and I'd like some comhrá about it here on the Machine Nation.

The way I see it is that Séan Lemass was in strong command of a powerful Fianna Fáil, the economy was performing reasonably well, he had a great sense of leadership and had nearly a full term before him when he resigned.

Why?

He could have served for longer than Bertie Ahern if he stayed on instead of resigning so early.

I think it was ill-health Ard - he was getting on - he had to wait near 40 years in Dev's Shadow before finally getting the top job.

He resigned in 66 and I think he died in 69

Also - I think he slightly concerned about the rise of his son in law too!

Yeah was pretty much it, although he died in 71 not 69. He was quite old when he took over and by 66 his health was in bad shape so he decided to resign. I think he's the only FF leader who has resigned as leader without being forced out in some way.

I see, that makes sense. I just couldn't see rhyme nor reason in an FF leader resigning in such a commanding political position. Ill-health explains it. Go raibh míle, Edo agus Rocky!

He was suffering from bad headaches as well, I think.

Is he the only Taoiseach we've had who went completely of his own choosing? In many ways, the ideal way to go

radicalcleric wrote:

Is he the only Taoiseach we've had who went completely of his own choosing? In many ways, the ideal way to go

Yep, it's a stylish exit that frees you from any recriminations.

radicalcleric wrote:

He was suffering from bad headaches as well, I think.

Is he the only Taoiseach we've had who went completely of his own choosing? In many ways, the ideal way to go

He would be yeah. A few FG leaders resigned completely of their own choosing. However none of those were in ever in office at the time. A FG leader has never resigned in office.