The Fianna Fáil party celebrates 80 years with an event at the Mansion House in Dublin.
Among the Fianna Fáil failthful attending the celebrations are Jerry Minihane from Cork, who the party in 1937 at just ten years of age. Raised in a strongly republican family, he has never been afraid to criticise the party when he felt it necessary. He remains deeply proud of Fianna Fáil and hopeful about its future, though he worries that the founding principles are gradually being eroded. Jerry Minihane will be among a 1,000 guests who will gather in the Round Room of the Mansion House for the anniversary event. The venue holds historic significance, having served as the seat of the first Dáil in 1919.
The occasion provides an opportunity for Fianna Fáil to celebrate achievements, honour founders, and reflect on its political legacy. Historian Diarmuid Ferriter describes the Fianna Fáil legacy as mixed. He notes the party would highlight its ability to adapt over time and to work with a broad range of individuals and political parties.
Following a visit to an exhibition of Fianna Fáil history with the families of five former party leaders, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said that the strength of the Irish economy owed much to the legacy of former party leader and Taoiseach, Charles Haughey. He pointed to the difficult economic decisions taken during the Haughey leadership as laying the foundations for subsequent economic growth.
Fianna Fáil was founded by Éamon de Valera and his supporters on 16 May 1926 after they split from Sinn Féin.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 14 May 2006. The reporter is Will Goodbody.
