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John and Rose Costello with their children May, Thomas and John Aloysius (holding his father’s watch).

“The only boy wearing a watch-chain …” Young John Costello with fellow Junior Grade Exhibitioners at O’Connell School in 1906. He is second from the left in the middle row. Behind his left shoulder is Seán Heuston, later executed after the 1916 Rising. (Allen Library)

The Attorney General at the side of the President of the Executive Council, 1928. Left to right: Diarmuid O’Hegarty (Secretary to theExecutive Council); Patrick McGilligan (Industry and Commerce, and External Affairs); James FitzGerald-Kenny (Justice); John MarcusO’Sullivan (Education); JAC; W.T. Cosgrave (President of the Executive Council); Ernest Blythe (Vice-President, Finance, and Posts andTelegraphs); Desmond FitzGerald (Defence); Richard Mulcahy (Local Government and Public Health); Patrick Hogan (Agriculture);Fionán Lynch (Fisheries). (Irish Times)

“A famously dapper dresser.” The young Costello on the verge of a glittering career.

Costello watches as Patrick McGilligan signs the Optional Clause of the Permanent Court of International Justice, 14 September 1929. Left to right: JAC, John Marcus O’Sullivan, Seán Lester, John Hearne, a Spanish official of the League of Nations, Patrick McGilligan. (Irish Independent)

“I said that it would mean less night work and worry.” The new Taoiseach with his wife, Ida, who is holding the family dog, Slem, 20 February 1948. (Irish Times)

Costello’s first Cabinet. Seated, left to right: Noël Browne (Health); Seán MacBride (External Affairs), Bill Norton (Tánaiste and Social Welfare); JAC; Richard Mulcahy (Education); T.F. O’Higgins (Defence); T.J. Murphy (LocalGovernment). Standing, left to right: Dan Morrissey (Industry and Commerce); Jim Everett (Posts and Telegraphs); Patrick McGilligan (Finance); Joe Blowick (Lands); Seán MacEoin (Justice); James Dillon (Agriculture). (TopFoto)

“Lined ceiling to floor with books—most of them on law.” In the study at home in Herbert Park.

The Taoiseach turns waiter, helping serve meals at the annual dinner for residents of St Patrick’s House, Kilmainham, 14 April 1948. (Irish Independent)

The Irish delegation arrives at Northolt in London for the Anglo-Irish trade talks, 16 June 1948. Left to right: Morrissey, Dillon, McGilligan, Norton, MacBride, John Dulanty (High Commissioner to London), JAC. (TopFoto)

Making a point. The Taoiseach gestures during a news conference to mark the opening of the trade talks. Norton and MacBride seem amused. (Associated Press)

Jack and Ida Costello arrive in New York on board the Mauritania, 27 August 1948. (AP/Press Association Images)

“The inaccuracies and infirmities of these provisions are apparent.” Costello explains the External Relations Act to the Canadian Bar Association, 1 September 1948. Canadian lawyer P.H. Bouffard and Ida Costello listen.

The Taoiseach explains his decision to repeal the External Relations Act to a British journalist, as MacBride looks on. (Corbis/Hulton-Deutsch Collection)

The British weren’t impressed, as this cartoon by David Low indicates. From the Evening Standard, 19 October 1948. (The British Cartoon Archive, University of Kent)

Costello pushes de Valera closer to the microphone as he addresses the mass meeting in O’Connell Street to protest against the Ireland Act, 13 May 1949. MacBride and Norton sit beside the Taoiseach. (AP/Press Association Images)

“Near-feudal deference”? The Taoiseach with the Archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid. Costello’s ADC, Mick Byrne, is behind. (Irish Independent)

“His most successful period as a barrister.” Costello at the Four Courts while in Opposition again. (Associated Newspapers/Solo Syndication)

Back in power, Costello receives his seal of office from President Seán T. O’Kelly, 4 June 1954. Secretary to the Government, Maurice Moynihan, looks on. (TopFoto)

A second Government. Left to right (seated): Seán MacEoin (Defence); Brendan Corish (Social Welfare); Bill Norton (Tánaisteand Industry and Commerce); JAC; Richard Mulcahy (Education); Joe Blowick (Lands); Michael Keyes (Posts and Telegraphs);James Dillon (Agriculture). Standing: Gerard Sweetman (Finance); Liam Cosgrave (External Affairs); Tom O’Higgins (Health);Pa O’Donnell (Local Government). Not pictured: Jim Everett (Justice). (Lensmen Photographic Archive)

“We must have friends.” President Eisenhower welcomes Costello to the White House, 14 March 1956. (Corbis/Bettmann)

“An immense fillip to national self confidence.” Acknowledging enthusiastic American crowds on St Patrick’s Day, 1956.

A private audience with the Pope, 2 September 1959. Left to right: Monsignor John Ryan, Pope John XXIII, JAC, Ralph Sutton. (Pontificia Fotografia, Felici)

Golden jubilee at the Bar, 23 November 1964. Left to right: son Declan, daughter Grace, JAC, Thomas A. Doyle (Chairman of the Bar Council), son-in-law Ralph Sutton. (Irish Times)

“A perfectly happy man.” The former Taoiseach in old age. (James G. Maguire Studios)

Two Freemen of Dublin in their last public appearance together. De Valera laughs at one of Costello’s jokes, 7 March 1975.