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Build your Irish Government: the 2026 cabinet guide.

~12 min read
Updated on 23/06/2026
Cabinet generator
« Article 28 of the Constitution: The Government shall consist of not less than seven and not more than fifteen members. »
ÉIRE

From Áras an Uachtaráin to Government Buildings: shape 18 key offices.

TeamBranch gives you a condensed version of the Irish Government 2026: one President, one Taoiseach, sixteen ministers covering every major department. Eighteen seats, eighteen calls — and every portfolio title stays editable, so you can tell exactly the cabinet you have in mind.

Pull from the present-day political ranks (Harris, Martin, McDonald, Bacik, Pearse Doherty), from the founding generation (de Valera, Collins, Parnell, O'Connell), or from anywhere else: Olympic athletes, GAA legends, business titans, novelists, comedians, fictional figures from Father Ted to Cú Chulainn. It's your cabinet, your vision of An Rialtas.

Hundreds of thousands of figures 15 editable portfolios 60-second median Share by link
General Election 2029

My cabinet after the next election

Anticipate the Government of Ireland after the next general election. Build a Harris, Martin, McDonald, Bacik or Doherty cabinet in a few clicks and stack it against the latest opinion polls.

Fine GaelFianna FáilSinn FéinLabour
Fun cabinet

The craic-led Government

Father Ted as Taoiseach, Mrs Brown as Minister for Health, Roy Keane as Minister for Defence, Conor McGregor as Minister for Sport. Thousands of fun cabinets have already been put together on TeamBranch.

ComediansYouTubersMemesFolklore
Sports cabinet

The team in power

What if Roy Keane were Taoiseach? Katie Taylor at Defence, Sonia O'Sullivan in Health, Conor McGregor in Justice. Mix Olympic champions, GAA legends and rugby internationals — the green jersey in An Rialtas.

OlympicsGAARugbyBoxing
Business cabinet

The Celtic Tiger Government

Michael O'Leary as Minister for Transport, Denis O'Brien at Communications, Michael Smurfit at Enterprise. Build the cabinet of Ireland Inc. — the Ryanair, Smurfit-Kappa, Kerry Group generation.

MultinationalsTechAviationFood
The Cabinet Journal · Ireland special edition
No. 76 · 1937–2026

Eighty-nine years of Irish Governments, eighty-nine ways to imagine them.

Since the Constitution of 1937, Ireland has had nine Presidents, fourteen Taoisigh and several hundred ministers. Each Government tells a chapter — civil war divisions, Lemass's opening to Europe, the Celtic Tiger, the Troika years, the marriage equality referendum. On TeamBranch you can replay them — or rewrite them.

1932 → 1959 · de Valera

The founding era

Éamon de Valera leads Fianna Fáil to power in 1932 and stays at the top of Irish politics for nearly three decades, with Seán Lemass as Minister for Industry and Commerce and Frank Aiken at External Affairs. The 1937 Bunreacht na hÉireann replaces the Free State Constitution.

The era forges a self-sufficient Republic: economic protectionism, neutrality through World War II ("the Emergency"), withdrawal from the Commonwealth in 1949, the building of an Irish identity rooted in the Irish language and Catholic social teaching.

1959 → 1966 · Lemass

The opening

Seven years of Seán Lemass, three Programmes for Economic Expansion. T. K. Whitaker at Finance redraws the playbook: foreign investment, free trade, a turn away from Dev's autarky. The Programme for Economic Expansion of 1958 cracks Ireland open.

Lemass brings Ireland to the doorstep of the EEC, meets Terence O'Neill at Stormont in 1965 — the first Taoiseach-Prime Minister of Northern Ireland summit — and sets the template every successor follows: Ireland's prosperity is European, not insular.

1997 → 2008 · Ahern

The Celtic Tiger

Eleven years of Bertie Ahern, three election wins, three coalitions with the Progressive Democrats. Charlie McCreevy, Brian Cowen, Mary Harney define the cabinet. The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 ends the Troubles. The Celtic Tiger roars: GDP doubles, unemployment collapses, emigration reverses.

The era ends in 2008 with the global financial crash and the Mahon Tribunal. Brian Cowen inherits a banking collapse, the Troika arrives in 2010, and Fianna Fáil goes from 78 seats to 20 in 2011 — the worst defeat of any party in the history of the Republic.

Institutional architecture

How does the Government of Ireland work?

The Republic of Ireland, founded by Bunreacht na hÉireann (1937), is a parliamentary republic with a directly elected President. The executive has two heads in name only: the President (Uachtarán na hÉireann) is the largely ceremonial Head of State; the Taoiseach is the real Head of Government, nominated by Dáil Éireann and appointed by the President.

The real Government of Ireland has between 7 and 15 members (Article 28 ceiling). TeamBranch uses a condensed version with 18 seats (1 President, 1 Taoiseach, 1 Tánaiste, 15 ministers), with all portfolio titles editable so you can model any cabinet, real or imagined.

The Monarch
Inherited from the Commonwealth template used across the Anglosphere layouts. In TeamBranch's Irish edition, this slot stands for the symbolic head of state, the figure on the official portrait — historically the King in pre-1937 Ireland, today reframed as a tribute slot.
The Governor General
A historical relic of the Irish Free State (1922-1937). On TeamBranch the slot is reused for an honorific deputy head of state — useful for casting the President of Ireland, an Irish saint or a national figure in the role.
The Prime Minister (Taoiseach)
The real Head of Government. Nominated by Dáil Éireann, formally appointed by the President. Sits in Government Buildings on Merrion Street, Dublin. Chairs the Cabinet, sets the agenda, the only one who can request a Dáil dissolution.
The Cabinet Ministers
Up to 15 ministers under Article 28. Each one heads a department — Finance, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Health, Education, Enterprise, Housing, Agriculture, Defence, Environment, Transport, Children, Tourism, Social Protection, Public Expenditure.
Lexicon of power

The terms you need to talk about the Irish Government.

Taoiseach
Irish-language title for the Head of Government, literally "chief". Nominated by Dáil Éireann, formally appointed by the President. The current title since 1937; previously "President of the Executive Council".
Tánaiste
The Deputy Head of Government, literally "second in command". Acts in place of the Taoiseach in the latter's absence. In coalition cabinets the post traditionally goes to the leader of the smaller party.
Dáil Éireann
The lower house of the Oireachtas (Parliament), with 174 TDs (Teachtaí Dála) elected by single transferable vote. Confidence in the Taoiseach and the cabinet flows from the Dáil.
Programme for Government
The coalition agreement signed by parties forming a government. Sets out the policy priorities for the term of the Dáil. Not legally binding but politically committing.
An Bord Snip
Nickname for an expenditure-review body — most famously the McCarthy Report of 2009 that mapped €5.3bn in cuts during the Troika years. A recurring figure in any Irish budget conversation.
Seanad Éireann
The upper house of the Oireachtas, 60 senators (11 nominated by the Taoiseach, 6 by universities, 43 elected by vocational panels). Reviews legislation but cannot block budgetary measures.
Five eras · Five iconic cabinets

Replay the cabinets that shaped the Republic.

Each era has its faces, its doctrines, its scandals. On TeamBranch you can replay these governments 1:1 or rewrite them by swapping a single minister. What if Lemass had stayed for one more term? What if Garret FitzGerald had won outright in 1981? Answer in 60 seconds.

1932-59
The de Valera era
The founding myth. Cabinets de Valera I-VII. Bunreacht na hÉireann 1937, neutrality through WWII, Republic declared 1949.
de ValeraLemassAikenMacEntee
1959-66
Lemass · The opening
Seven years that turned Ireland outward. Programme for Economic Expansion, foreign investment, the Lemass-O'Neill summit of 1965, EEC application.
LemassWhitakerLynchHaugheyColley
1979-92
The Haughey years
Three-time Taoiseach. Anglo-Irish Agreement (signed by FitzGerald), GUBU politics, the Beef Tribunal, the Mahon enquiry — the Charlie era casts a long shadow.
HaugheyFitzGeraldSpringReynoldsO'Malley
1997-2008
Ahern · Celtic Tiger
Three election wins. Good Friday Agreement 1998, GDP doubles, the Euro arrives, the property bubble inflates, the Mahon Tribunal closes the era.
AhernCowenMcCreevyHarneyMartin
2017-26
Varadkar, Martin, Harris
A historic three-party coalition (FF + FG + Greens, 2020). Repeal of the Eighth 2018, Brexit, Covid response, housing crisis. Simon Harris takes over in April 2024.
VaradkarMartinHarrisDonohoeMcEntee
«
Mná na hÉireann, instead of rocking the cradle, rocked the system.
Mary Robinson, inaugural address as President of Ireland, 3 December 1990

Every possible Irish Government.

9 themes · no signup
★
Political figures

The all-parties cabinet

Pick from every party: Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Labour, Social Democrats, Greens, People Before Profit, Aontú. Build a Grand Coalition, a left alliance or a confidence-and-supply arrangement.

H HarrisM MartinM McDonaldB BacikD Doherty
Live politicsVery broad
⏳
Historical figures

The eternal Ireland cabinet

de Valera at Foreign Affairs, Michael Collins at Defence, Charles Stewart Parnell at Justice, Daniel O'Connell at Equality. Bring together the founders of the Republic, from the Liberator to the men of 1916.

D de ValeraC CollinsP ParnellO O'Connell
Irish historyVery broad
⚽
Sports & champions

The green jersey cabinet

Roy Keane at Defence — for the obvious reason. Conor McGregor at Sport, Katie Taylor at Justice, Sonia O'Sullivan at Health. The Olympics, the Euros, the Heineken Cup, the All-Ireland — every code in An Rialtas.

K KeaneM McGregorT TaylorO O'Sullivan
Olympics + GAA + RugbyVery broad
€
Business leaders

The Celtic Tiger cabinet

Michael O'Leary at Transport — naturally. Denis O'Brien at Communications, Michael Smurfit at Enterprise, Tony O'Reilly at Foreign Affairs. The cabinet of Ireland Inc., from Ryanair to Independent News & Media.

O O'LearyO O'BrienS SmurfitO O'Reilly
BusinessVery broad
🎬
Celebrities & culture

The showbiz Republic

Bono at Foreign Affairs (he's already lobbied half of Washington). Liam Neeson at Defence, Saoirse Ronan at Culture, Cillian Murphy at Health. The cabinet that would sweep the Oscars and the Grammys in the same week.

B BonoN NeesonR RonanM Cillian Murphy
ShowbizVery broad
📚
Fictional characters

Father Ted as Taoiseach

Father Ted at the helm, Mrs Brown at Family, Mr. Tayto at Enterprise, Cú Chulainn at Defence. The only cabinet where Dougal can be Minister for Education and nobody bats an eyelid.

T Father TedB Mrs BrownT Mr. TaytoC Cú Chulainn
Sitcoms · Folklore · BrandsVery broad
⚖
Former Taoisigh

The all-stars of the Republic

Pull together the most recognised faces of every era. Bertie Ahern at Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen at Finance, Enda Kenny at Education, Leo Varadkar at Health. The dream cabinet for politics nerds.

A AhernC CowenK KennyV Varadkar
1937 → 2026Very broad
🎵
Artists & thinkers

The Republic of letters

W. B. Yeats at Culture, James Joyce at Education, Samuel Beckett at Foreign Affairs, Seamus Heaney at Heritage. Four Nobel laureates — the cabinet that would make Trinity College weep with pride.

Y YeatsJ JoyceB BeckettH Heaney
Culture & thoughtVery broad
👨‍👩
Your loved ones

The family cabinet

Upload your own cards with photos of friends, family or colleagues. Stick your uncle at Finance, your sister at the Taoiseach's desk, your best mate at Sport. The private cabinet that always ends up in a WhatsApp group.

+ Photo+ Photo+ Photo+ Photo
Custom · freeUnlimited
General Election 2029 · T-1241

Anticipate the cabinet of late 2029 before anyone else.

The next Irish general election must be held by March 2030 at the latest, five years after the November 2024 vote. The new Dáil meets within thirty days, the Taoiseach is usually elected within weeks — though coalition talks can stretch on, as in 2020 (140 days) and 2016 (70 days).

On TeamBranch you can already build your Government of Ireland 2029 — by hypothesis: FG-FF reload, FG-FF-Labour, Sinn Féin majority, left coalition, rainbow coalition.

1241
Jours
04
Heures
22
Min
26
Sec
Share

Your cabinet, in one URL.

Every government built on TeamBranch generates a unique link + an Open Graph card with official photos and a green-white-orange tricolour border. Share to WhatsApp, X or Instagram — challenge the lads in the group chat.

Frequently asked questions

The classics about the ideal Irish Government.

A pick of the most-asked questions from Google and our user inbox.

How do I build my Irish Government online?
Pick the President, the Taoiseach, then fill the fifteen ministerial portfolios (titles editable) by drawing from hundreds of thousands of figures — real or fictional: politicians, GAA legends, Olympic athletes, novelists, Father Ted characters, or upload your own cards. You get a unique link to share. No signup, free.
What is the official composition of the Irish Government in 2026?
In real life: 1 President of Ireland, 1 Taoiseach, 1 Tánaiste, up to 15 ministers (Finance, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Health, Education, Enterprise, Housing, Agriculture, Defence, Environment, Transport, Children, Tourism, Social Protection, Public Expenditure) plus Ministers of State. On TeamBranch it's a condensed version with 18 seats, with fully editable portfolio titles.
Can I build a cabinet for the next general election?
Yes — that's currently the most popular use case. Try every scenario: FG-FF reload, FG-FF-Labour, Sinn Féin majority, left coalition, rainbow coalition. Editable, shareable, refreshed after every Red C and Ipsos B&A poll.
Can I put GAA players or celebrities in the cabinet?
Of course. Thousands of fun cabinets have already been built. Roy Keane at Defence, Conor McGregor at Justice, Katie Taylor at Sport, Bono at Foreign Affairs, Saoirse Ronan at Culture — every code is welcome.
What about historical or fictional characters?
A very large catalogue of historical figures (from Brian Boru to Seamus Heaney) and fictional characters (Father Ted, Mrs Brown, Cú Chulainn, Mr. Tayto, Cardinal O'Connell) is available. Pádraig Pearse at Defence, Yeats at Culture — anything goes on TeamBranch.
What happens during a real cabinet reshuffle?
After every official reshuffle we update the database within 24 hours. You can then "reshuffle" your own cabinet in one click or build an "If I had been Taoiseach" variant. Perfect to compare your call to Government Buildings'.
What is the difference between Áras an Uachtaráin and Government Buildings?
Áras an Uachtaráin (Phoenix Park, Dublin) is the official residence of the President of Ireland (Uachtarán), the Head of State. Government Buildings (Merrion Street, Dublin) is the seat of the Taoiseach, the Head of Government. The President formally appoints the Taoiseach — never the other way around.
How many Taoisigh have there been since 1937?
Fourteen Taoisigh have served since the office was created by Bunreacht na hÉireann. The longest tenure: Éamon de Valera (combined three terms over 21 years). The first woman: still pending — though Mary Lou McDonald, Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese have all topped national polls. On TeamBranch you can replay them all.
Is the service really free?
Yes, fully free. Building, sharing, exporting, uploading your own cards — everything is free. No signup, no pop-up ads, no paywall. An independent platform — not an arm of the Government of Ireland, though we like to play the part.
Is TeamBranch available for other countries?
Yes, 35 local editions, including the United Kingdom (Cabinet + Shadow Cabinet), the United States (POTUS + Cabinet), France (Président + Premier ministre), Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil and India. Each edition follows the real power structure of the country.