Redefining the Irish Presidency: The Politics of a ‘Non-political’ Office, 1973–1990.

This article examines the presidencies of Erskine Childers, Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh and Patrick Hillery during the period 1973–1990. Each of the presidential terms is examined in terms of the background of the incumbent, the circumstances of his nomination as president and his role in office. Commencing with the election of Erskine Childers, the role assumed a higher public profile, with national engagements and international travel, and this activity has become a defining feature of all subsequent presidencies. Nonetheless, each of the presidents covered in this article adopted a narrow interpretation of the role, sought to avoid conflict with the government of the day and was strongly guided by governmental definition of the role and its powers. Moreover, during the term of the Fine Gael–Labour coalition led by Liam Cosgrave (1973–1977) evidence was found of uncomfortable cohabitation between presidents and an administration from different political traditions, leading in one case to a presidential resignation, although cohabitation appears not to have been an issue during the later coalition led by Garret FitzGerald. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]