Eamon de Valera

Eamon de Valera{{ref|Name}} (born Edward George de Valera, sometimes Gaelicised Éamonn de Bhailéara; October 14, 1882 – August 29, 1975), was an Irish politician, best known as a leader of Ireland's struggle for independence from the United Kingdom in the early 20th Century, and the Republican anti-Treaty opposition in the ensuing Irish Civil War.

President of Ireland

His last bid at constitutional reform failed when the people, by referendum, rejected his proposal that proportional representation be replaced by the direct vote. On the same day in June 1959 he was elected President of Ireland in succession to Seán T. O'Ceallaigh, defeating General Seán MacEoin by a comfortable majority. By now, he was almost totally blind, but hid the fact through the use of an aide, whose job was to whisper sotto voice to de Valera instructions such as the number of steps to take, or where to 'look' (In one famous photograph, President de Valera is seen 'inspecting' a new statue just erected of Irish patriot Robert Emmet, apparently standing back in admiration. In fact, he could not see it at all). As President he received many distinguished visitors, including Presidents Charles de Gaulle and John F. Kennedy. In 1964, at the age of eighty-one, he visited Washington and addressed Congress, speaking for twenty-five minutes without notes.

Related Topics:
Proportional representation - 1959 - President of Ireland - Seán T. O'Ceallaigh - Seán MacEoin - Robert Emmet - Charles de Gaulle - John F. Kennedy - 1964 - Washington

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De Valera narrowly avoided humiliation in 1966 when he was almost defeated in his final electoral battle, for re-election to the presidency. So close was the election that a mere one vote more in each ballot box in the Republic for his opponent would have been enough to secure the election of Fine Gael's youthful presidential candidate, Tom O'Higgins. While de Valera narrowly won the election, by a 1% majority of 10,000 votes in a poll of over 1,000,000, he did develop a deep dislike and distrust for his campaign manager, Agriculture Minister and future Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey. He warned colleagues later that Haughey would 'destroy the (Fianna Fáil) party', a perceptive analysis of the now disgraced former prime minister who did indeed almost destroy Fianna Fáil in the 1980s, and who has since been the subject of tribunals enquiring into proven financial improprieties. (Haughey was due to stand trial as a result of the revelations, but was let off the hook because of potentially prejudicial comments made by Tánaiste Mary Harney on live television.)

Related Topics:
1966 - Fine Gael - Tom O'Higgins - Agriculture - Charles J. Haughey - Fianna Fáil - 1980s - Tánaiste - Mary Harney

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On the occasion of his visit to Ireland in 1963, President John F. Kennedy joined with Irish President Eamon de Valera to form The American Irish Foundation (see The Ireland Funds).

Related Topics:
John F. Kennedy - The Ireland Funds

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De Valera finished his final term of office in 1973, aged 91, the oldest head of state in the world at the time. During his sixty-three year career in public life he received numerous honours. He was elected Chancellor of the National University of Ireland in 1921, holding the post until his death. Pope John XXIII bestowed on him the Order of Christ. He received honorary degrees from universities in Ireland and abroad and in 1968 was elected FRS, a recognition of his lifelong interest in mathematics. He also served as a member of the Parliament of Northern Ireland (for Down from 1921 to 1929 and for South Down from 1933 to 1937), though he held to the Republican policy of abstentionism and did not take his seat in Stormont. He retired from the Presidency in June 1973, having served for fourteen years, the longest period allowed under the Constitution.

Related Topics:
1973 - National University of Ireland - 1921 - Pope John XXIII - Order of Christ - Ireland - 1968 - Parliament of Northern Ireland - Down - 1929 - 1933 - 1937 - Republican - Abstentionism - Stormont

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Eamon de Valera died in Lyndon Nursing Home, Blackrock, County Dublin on August 29, 1975 aged 92. His wife, Sinéad de Valera, four years his senior, died the previous January, on the date of their 65th wedding anniversary. He is buried in Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery.

Related Topics:
Blackrock - County Dublin - August 29 - 1975 - Sinéad de Valera - Glasnevin Cemetery

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