DeValera Irelands Hated Hero (Part 1 of 4)

Wikipedia, "Éamon de Valera (14 October 1882 29 August 1975) was one of the dominant political figures in 20th century Ireland. His political career spanned over half a century, from 1917 to 1973; he served multiple terms as head of government and head of state, and is credited with a leading role in the authorship of the present-day Constitution of Ireland.

De Valera was a significant leader of Ireland's struggle for independence from the United Kingdom, and the anti-Treaty opposition in the ensuing Irish Civil War (1922-1923). In 1926, he founded Fianna Fáil, which continues to be the largest political party in Ireland. Over the years, the principal element of his political creed evolved from militant republicanism to social and cultural conservatism. De Valera was also the co-owner of The Irish Press, a newspaper supportive of Fianna Fáil, and through use of military tribunals and the newly created Army Volunteer Reserve, he thwarted efforts of both the Irish Republican Army and the Army Comrades Association during the 1930s.

Assessments of De Valera's career have differed sharply. One school of thought, represented by De Valera's biographer Tim Pat Coogan, sees his time in power as being characterised by economic and cultural stagnation. Other writers, such as the historian Diarmaid Ferriter, have presented a more complex and nuanced assessment of his legacy."

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[lsnows]

Let me ask the viewers this: why is W.T. Cosgrave largely forgotten? After all, it was he, not de Valera who established Eire as a viable state with strong democratic institutions at a time and place (inter-war Europe) when Fascism and Communism were ascendant and the Great Depression left all Europe vulnerable to those totalitarian ideologies. Cosgrave deserves more credit.

[jonboyjones2]

@lsnows This may be very late, but you're completely right. There are so many more Irish Politicians deserving of a place in history. I personally hate de Valera, he was a divisive, selfish and inspired 100's more unnecessary deaths in the Civil War. Cosgrave, Collins and Griffith were far more deserving of the kind of praise lauded on de Valera.

[totes32]

A crafty low life who sold out the true cause of Ireland while he lead a life of luxury and invited a chosen few to be at his side sure he wasn't really Irish anyway.

[MrWoppers]

that idiot fintan o toole really lives up to his name..he is a tool

[datawesumdude]

He is an awesome dude and I am writing a research report on him.