POLITICAL PARTIES Ireland

Irish Parliamentary Party

The IPP, led by John Redmond, believed Ireland could achieve self‑government peacefully through the British parliamentary system. They pushed for Home Rule, relying on negotiation, voting power, and alliances in Westminster. Before 1916, they dominated Irish politics and represented moderate nationalism. Their decline after the Easter Rising showed how constitutional methods were replaced by more radical approaches.

Sinn Féin

Early Sinn Féin rejected the idea of sitting in Westminster and instead argued that Irish MPs should form their own parliament in Dublin. After their landslide victory in 1918, they created the First Dáil and declared independence. Sinn Féin represented a shift from constitutional nationalism to full separatism, using both political and military means to challenge British rule.

Fianna Fáil

Founded in 1926 by Eamon de Valera, Fianna Fáil represented anti‑Treaty republicans who wanted to dismantle the Free State’s ties to Britain. When they came to power in 1932, they removed the Oath of Allegiance, weakened British influence, and introduced the 1937 Constitution. Fianna Fáil became the dominant political force in 20th‑century Ireland.

Blueshirts

The Blueshirts emerged in the 1930s as a right‑wing, uniformed movement led by Eoin O’Duffy. Inspired by European fascism, they held marches, wore blue shirts, and opposed Fianna Fáil. Their rise reflected political extremism and instability in the early Free State, though they never gained real power.

Irish Free State government (Cumann na nGaedheal) — Cosgrave’s party

Cumann na nGaedheal, led by W.T. Cosgrave, governed the Free State after the Civil War. They focused on building stable institutions: the Garda Síochána, courts, civil service, and financial systems. Their approach was conservative and law‑and‑order focused, aiming to stabilize the new state after years of conflict.