Image (Above): "De Valera's Presidential Speech," Hulton Archives, 1920
The Sinn Féin Party
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Sinn Féin, meaning “Ourselves Alone,” was founded in 1905 with Irish republican and nationalistic beliefs. "We of this time... have the opportunity to inspire and move our generation in like manner. We can do so by keeping this thought of a noble future for our country constantly before our eyes, ever seeking in action to bring that future into being, and ever remembering that it is for our nation as a whole that future must be sought."
- Éamon de Valera's Presidential Speech |
"Irish General Election," JandK87 - Declared in Public Domain, 2012
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With de Valera’s leadership, Sinn Féin dominated the 1918 Irish General Election, taking 73 of 105 seats. Because of their novelty, no one expected them to win the election. Instead of sitting in Westminster, England, Sinn Féin decided to form the Irish Parliament. "If I am a traitor, let the Irish people decide it or not, and if there are men who act towards me as a traitor I am prepared to meet them anywhere, any time, now as in the past. For that reason I do not want the issue prejudged."
- Michael Collins, Chairman of the Irish Parliament |
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"Since this war began, our sympathy has gone out to all the suffering people who have been dragged into it. Further hundreds of millions have become involved since I spoke at Limerick fortnight ago."
- Éamon de Valera * Hover Over Images for Captions and Click to Enlarge Images
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"Rebels Against British Conscription," Unknown Author, 1920
The Sinn Féin Party played a huge role in the Irish War of Independence. With the Irish Republican Army’s help, 26 of the 32 Irish counties were granted independence in 1921, issued by the Anglo-Irish Treaty. |
"We are fully aware that, in a world at war, each set of belligerents is over ready to regard those who are not with them as against them; but the course we have followed is a just course."
- Éamon de Valera
- Éamon de Valera