APPARENTLY THERE’S SOMETHING happening tomorrow and our politicians are too busy to post their own Throwback Thursday snaps. Like a knight in shining armour, we’ve strode in and done it for them.

You’re welcome, one and all.

1. Enda Kenny

A little known fact about our Taoiseach: he had a brief stint as a tour guide in 2002. Before he reached the highest position in the Irish government, Enda Kenny would helpfully point out landmarks in the capital to passersby, such as the River Liffey.

addtext_com_MDY0NTE3Njg2OTY Gareth Chaney / Photocall Ireland Gareth Chaney / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

2. Noonan & Co.

MINISTER FOR HEALTH MICHAEL NOONAN Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland Michael Noonan Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Labour leader Ruairi Quinn Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland! Ruairi Quinn Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland! / Photocall Ireland!

In 1995, Ministers made a ‘go bald or go home’ pact.

ALAN SHATTER DIVORCE REFERENDUM IN IRELAND 1995 RELIGIOUS ISSUES Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland Alan Shatter Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Oh.

3. Tom Cruise

TOM CRUISE IN IRELAND 1995 HOLLYWOOD FILM STARS Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Following his addition to the Labour ticket in 1995, the Mission Impossible actor denied he was a token celebrity candidate, insisting he would “keep it real”.

4. Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan

Mary Mitchell O’Connor was raging when Ming stole her look back in 2011*. Such behaviour is considered a major Dáil no-no.

addtext_com_MDYzNzM5Njg0MTE Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

*This was actually for charity so fair play all round.

5. Jackie Healy Rae

JACKIE HEALY RAE FIANNA FAIL ARD FHEIS 2003 SMOKERS CIGARETTES CONTROLS IN PUBLIC PLACES ANTI BAN ON SMOKING HEALTH ISSUES LUNG CANCER ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE IN THE WORKPLACE Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

This is an actual thing that happened in 2003. As far as we’re aware, ‘Micky’s Butt Squad’ has since disbanded.

6. Mary McAleese

addtext_com_MDQzMzIzNjU1OTc

Try as they might, they just couldn’t figure out his new phone.

7. Matt Carthy

SHINN FEIN YOUTH NATIONAL ORGANISER MATT CARTHY PORTRAIT UPRIGHT Graham Hughes / Photocall Ireland Graham Hughes / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

The young whippersnapper engaging in the popular 1999 game: ‘Drink from the imaginary glass’. Crazy kid.

8. Bonus Bertie material: A look back through laughter

Fianna Fáil gatherings were a barrel of laughs in the ’80s.

RAY BURKE WITH BERTIE AHERN Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland Ray Burke and Bertie Ahern (1984) Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Bertie didn’t have the heart to tell Tony stand up just wasn’t for him.

Joey Cleary / Photocall Ireland Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern (1998) Joey Cleary / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Prince Philip had better luck with what was sure to have been an entirely appropriate remark.

Prince Philip British Royal Visits to Ireland Kate Horgan / Photocall Ireland Prince Philip, Bertie Ahern and Mary Harney (1998) Kate Horgan / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

This is just a caption competition waiting to happen…

So Enda, did you like our picks?

Enda Kenny Photocall Ireland Fine Gael conference at City West, Dublin (2003) Photocall Ireland

Great.

Read: From banning Galway people entering Meath to using Grindr: The evolution of election literature

Read: Fine Gael bottled water, giant floating heads and other strange sights from Election 2014

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More