Find your ancestors in Oireachtas Companion 1928-1930

What can these records tell me?

The Oireachtas Companion is an invaluable resource, offering detailed insights into Ireland’s early government, legislative processes, and the figures who shaped its post-independence era. Within the pages of these guides you will find:

• Member Biographies – Detailed profiles of Teachtaí Dála (TDs) and Senators, including their political affiliations, constituencies, and personal backgrounds.
• Parliamentary Proceedings – Summaries of legislative sessions, major debates, and enacted laws.
• Electoral Insights – Analysis of election results, voting patterns, and constituency boundaries, helping readers understand the evolving political climate.
• Government Structure – Descriptions of the roles and functions of various governmental departments within the Saorstát Éireann (Irish Free State).

Discover more about these records

The Oireachtas Companion and Saorstát Guide was a key reference for understanding the Irish parliamentary landscape in the early years of the Irish Free State. Compiled by William J. Flynn, the 1928-1930 editions provided comprehensive details on the members and operations of the Oireachtas (Irish National Parliament) from 1922 to 1930.

The Oireachtas Éireann sits in Leinster House, Dublin, and this guide offered valuable insight into its structure and proceedings. In 1929, the Liverpool Post and Mercury described it as follows:

"Supplies a historical sketch of the Anglo-Irish conflict from Easter Week, 1916, to the signing of the Treaty, December 1921…. Amongst a vast amount of other information is a record of legislation enacted by the Oireachtas in the years 1922 to 1928."

Over time, the publication evolved to reflect Ireland’s changing political landscape. By 1932, it was renamed the Free State Parliamentary Companion, maintaining its role as a key reference on Irish parliamentary affairs.