Fine Gael

Fine Gael (IPA {{IPA|}} in English and {{IPA|}} in Irish, approximate English translation: Family of the Irish) is the second largest political party in both the Republic of Ireland and Ireland as a whole. It was founded on 3 September 1933 following the merger of Cumann na nGaedheal, the Centre Party and the Blueshirts (National Guard) though it traces its origins back to the struggle for Irish independence and the pro-Treaty side in the Irish Civil War, identified in particular with Michael Collins. Fine Gael today describes itself as a party of the progressive centre though, in many ways, the party complies with the model of the mainland European christian democratic parties. They are strongly pro-EU integration and opposed to militant Irish republicanism, advocating a more pluralist brand of Irish Nationalism. It is the sole party in the Republic of Ireland to be aligned with the European People's Party in the European Parliament. Today, the party claims a membership of over 34,000.

History

In the face of intimidation of Cumann na nGaedheal meetings by the IRA and the rise in support for Fianna Fáil a new strategy was required to strenghten the voice of the pro-Treaty tradition who now found themselves in opposition. As a result Fine Gael-The United Ireland Party was founded as an independent party in 1933, following the merger of the Cumann na nGaedheal, the Centre Party and the Blueshirts (National Guard). In reality, it was really a larger version of Cumann na nGaedhael, the party created in 1923 by the Pro-Treaty leaders of the Irish Free State under William T. Cosgrave. The new party sought to end the Economic war, improve relations with Britain while advocating a United Ireland within the framework of the Commonwealth. After a short hiatus under the disastrous leadership of General Eoin O'Duffy, Cosgrave returned to lead the new party, continuing in the leadership until 1944. Although the people who formed the party had been in government for ten years in the Irish Free State (1922-32), once Fianna Fáil under Eamon de Valera came to power in 1932, Fine Gael spent the next sixteen years in the doldrums, overshadowed by the larger party. Indeed at times, it went into what was thought to be terminal decline on the opposition benches.

Related Topics:
Cumann na nGaedheal - Fianna Fáil - Centre Party - Blueshirts - 1923 - Pro-Treaty - William T. Cosgrave - Eoin O'Duffy - Irish Free State - Eamon de Valera

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