By-elections that shaped Ireland: Part 1 | What Were We Like | History Podcast

With by-elections in the air, Diarmaid and Catriona look back at some of the most significant ones in Irish history. Part one features big beasts Sean Lemass and Sean MacBride, as well as Ireland's most handsome communist. Lemass succeeded Dev and is credited with modernising Ireland, as well as smoking vast amounts of tobacco through a pipe. The more “exotic” MacBride founded Clann Na Poblachta and led Amnesty International, but his abilities as a politician are questioned, and the roots of his unusual French accent are considered. Subscribe to What Were We Like wherever you get your podcasts. See more at: http://www.rte.ie/player