Séamus Dolan:THE FORMER Cavan Fianna Fáil TD and senator Séamus Dolan, who died on Tuesday at the age of 95, was the oldest surviving former Oireachtas member and a former cathaoirleach of the Seanad.
Born near Blacklion, Co Cavan, in 1914, Dolan, who retired from politics almost 30 years ago, remained an active member of Fianna Fáil right up to his death, regularly attending ardfheiseanna and the annual taoiseach’s dinner.
He was a lifelong Irish language enthusiast and his funeral Mass in Milltown, Belturbet, Co Cavan, last Thursday was conducted wholly through Irish.
During his earlier career, he combined farming with primary school teaching. He became increasingly active in politics during the 1950s.
He ran unsuccessfully for the Dáil twice in that decade, before finally winning a seat in the 1961 general election.
He served for one four-year term in the Dáil before losing his seat in the 1965 election.
Thereafter he was elected to the Seanad and, save for one four-year period between 1969 and 1973, he remained a member of the Upper House until his retirement in 1981.
In 1977, following Fianna Fáil’s general election victory, he was appointed cathaoirleach of the Seanad, a position he held for four years.
Dolan was known as a diligent and committed politician at national and local level. He was also a member of Cavan County Council for many years.
Besides his passion for the Irish language, he also devoted considerable political energies to promoting Cavan as a tourism destination, particularly its inland waterways.
Dolan, who was buried in Killeshandra, is survived by his wife Bríd and by eight sons and daughters.
Séamus Dolan: born December 10th, 1914 ; died August 10th, 2010.