Clare (Dáil constituency)
Clare is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects four deputies (Teachtaí Dála, commonly known as TDs) on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV). History Clare is historically a Fianna Fáil stronghold. The party founder Éamon de Valera served the constituency for 38 years, from 1921 to 1959, for many years of that time as Taoiseach and then, on his resignation as a TD, as president of Ireland. From 1917 to 1922 he had been Sinn Féin Westminster MP for the preceding constituency of East Clare. His granddaughter, Síle de Valera, represented the constituency from 1987 to 2007. Other notable former deputies include Patrick Hillery (later president 1976–1990), the long-serving Ceann Comhairle (chairperson of the Dáil) Patrick Hogan and Moosajee Bhamjee, the first Muslim TD. Boundaries The constituency was created by the Government of Ireland Act 1920 and has been in use for Dáil elections since the 1921 election. The constituency's boundaries have varied since its formation in 1921. From the 2020 general election, the constituency spans the entire area of County Clare. The Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2017 defines