De Valera - Early Years

First Night in Ireland, Last Night in Old House

In an interview recorded for the five-part radio series "A Boy from Bruree", Eamon de Valera tells presenter Donncha Ó Dúlaing about the first night he spent in Ireland as a young child - he slept in the family's old thatched house before moving to their new labourers' cottage the next day.

Last Trip to Bruree

When his old school at Bruree is converted into a museum dedicated to his name, President de Valera returns to open it. He recalls his schooldays during a 40-minute speech delivered in pouring rain.

Early Political Influences

In an interview recorded for the five-part radio series "A Boy from Bruree", Eamon de Valera remembers listening as a child to his uncle reading the newspaper to his grandmother and attending a boycott meeting.

Escape from Lincoln Jail and Travelling in the "Presidential Yacht"

At a celebration held by Fianna Fáil to mark the 40th anniversary of the first Dáil, Eamon de Valera describes events in Ireland after the 1916 Rising and his escape from Lincoln Jail, recalling how he travelled on a ship nicknamed the "Presidential Yacht" while on the run.

De Valera on his 80th Birthday

On the occasion of his 80th birthday, President de Valera speaks to Pádraic Ó Raghallaigh for RTÉ Television. During the interview, de Valera recalls his schooldays in Bruree and some of the happiest moments of his life. He also discusses the Gaelic League, the War of Independence and the Civil War. Finally, the President expresses his hope that the Irish people will continue to be true to themselves.