{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6155db9059a3fa00137f30a9/64d24e149ada62001184dc68?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The Ahern years: Bertie's path to power ","description":"<p>His legacy is debated, but there's no denying that Bertie Ahern is one of the most significant figures in Irish political history. </p><p><br></p><p>Over the next few episodes Pat Leahy tells the story of the life and political career of the former Taoiseach and assesses his impact on modern Ireland. </p><p><br></p><p>In the first instalment Pat examines Ahern's rise to prominence within Fianna Fáil, how he first came close to power before having it snatched away by a political ally turned foe, and the smart general election campaign that saw him assume the office of Taoiseach on June 26th, 1997.</p>","author_name":"The Irish Times"}