De Valera as Leader

Christmas Message 1936

In his Christmas message to radio listeners at home and in America, Eamon de Valera outlines the progress that has been made in the Irish economy due to industry, agriculture and an increase in foreign trade. He also highlights the independence that has now been established by Irish political institutions and the new constitution that will be brought before the people in the new year.

Inauguration of New Constitution

Constitution Day was marked on radio by a special programme. A dramatic reconstruction featuring, "...the struggle through the centuries and the laws forced on the Irish people during their fight for independence". Following this special commemoration, the Taoiseach addressed the nation and his broadcast was relayed throughout America on the Columbia network.

Eamon de Valera tells radio listeners how the Constitution provides for the aspiration of the Irish people to independence, national unity and the control of domestic and foreign affairs.

St Patrick's Day Message 1938

During his St Patrick's Day message, Eamon de Valera informs listeners about the adoption of the Constitution by the Irish people and what this means. He also speaks about negotiations with the British Government on the subjects of trade tariffs, partition and the occupation of certain Irish ports by British forces.

Address to the Nation Following the British Declaration of War

Speaking to the nation at the outbreak of the Second World War, de Valera affirms the Irish Government's resolution to remain neutral. Repeating what he previously stated in the Dáil, the Taoiseach explains that "with our history, with our experience of the last war, and with a part of our country still unjustly severed from us, we felt that no other decision and no other policy was possible."

"The Ireland That We Dreamed of"

1943 was the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Gaelic League, an organisation that aimed to preserve and restore the Irish language and Irish culture. Part of de Valera's message to the nation on St Patrick's Day 1943 portrays a vision of an ideal Ireland. This is how he articulates it on radio:

"... The Ireland that we dreamed of would be the home of a people who valued material wealth only as a basis for right living, of a people who, satisfied with frugal comfort, devoted their leisure to the things of the spirit – a land whose countryside would be bright with cosy homesteads, whose fields and villages would be joyous with the sounds of industry, with the romping of sturdy children, the contest of athletic youths and the laughter of happy maidens, whose firesides would be forums for the wisdom of serene old age. The home, in short, of a people living the life that God desires that men should live. . . ."

De Valera Responds to Churchill

Towards the end of the Second World War, Winston Churchill, in his Victory in Europe Day speech broadcast to the world, was critical of Taoiseach Eamon de Valera and Ireland's policy of neutrality throughout the war. Three days later, de Valera, in a much anticipated reply, outlined Ireland's right as an independent state to remain neutral. His response was praised widely in Ireland for its strength, dignity and restraint.

"It is indeed fortunate that Britain's necessity did not reach the point when Mr Churchill would have acted. All credit to him that he successfully resisted the temptation which I have no doubt many times assailed him in his difficulties and to which I freely admit many leaders might have succumbed. It is indeed hard for the strong to be just to the weak but acting justly always has its rewards."

De Valera gives credit to Churchill for not violating Irish neutrality. To illustrate his decisions on neutrality, de Valera poses a hypothetical question: if Germany had won the war and occupied England for a number of years, finally giving freedom to England with the exception of six southern counties, would Churchill be prepared to "...lead this partitioned England to join with Germany in a crusade?"

Opposition to Clause 13 of Ireland Bill

An all-party mass-protest rally against the Ireland Bill being put through the British Commons is held in O'Connell Street. Over 100 members from political parties and trade unions are represented on a platform at the Parnell monument. Thousands gather to listen to speeches from the Taoiseach John Costello and the opposition party leaders. The entire proceedings are broadcast on radio.

Eamon de Valera, leader of the opposition in the Dáil, is introduced to the crowd and he outlines his opposition to the Bill in Irish and English.

General Election Rally Speech at College Green

On the eve of the 1954 General Election, Eamon de Valera addresses a Fianna Fáil rally in College Green while Fine Gael hold their own rally at the GPO. At the end of what many commentators describe as a dull campaign, the Taoiseach injects some humour into his speech, jokingly scolding Seán Lemass for sending "me down in the country as if I knew nothing about this city".

21st Anniversary of the 1937 Constitution

At a celebration concert held by Fianna Fáil to mark the 40th anniversary of the first Dáil, and the 21st anniversary of the 1937 constitution, Eamon de Valera reflects on the division of Ireland.

"I know and regret the division of our country. Many of us are in politics because of that division and one of the main tasks before us is to try to work by means that will be as successful as the means we have adopted to get the complete independence here. Now some people are despairing about that. I am not. Nobody before we went into the negotiations of '38 would have hoped that we would have got Spike Island and that we have got the ports. We didn't get them by any military action."