The election of February 2011 will be remembered for many things, but most of all for the defeat and virtual annihilation of Fianna Fáil. Stripped of power in humiliating circumstances, the party was disgraced, possibly to the point of no return. Fine Gael triumphed under Enda Kenny, a leader who had been consistently underrated, winning the largest number of seats in its history. Kenny was joined in power by the Labour Party and together, with the largest majority ever enjoyed, they formed a powerful government at a time of immense and continuing crisis for Ireland.

The story of how this happened and of how Fianna Fáil came to demolish itself in the eyes of the electorate is linked with property and banking scandals, inept decisions and the gross mismanagement of the most profitable time – that of the Celtic Tiger – ever enjoyed by the Irish people.

Two journalists with inside knowledge of the events and extensive experience of politics over many years have joined their talents to write this gripping story.