CUMANN NA NGAEDHEAL AND FINE GAEL PARTIES

Reference code:

IE UCDAD P39

200 boxes

Administrative history

Formally launched on 27 April 1923, Cumann na nGaedheal was formed from the pro-Treaty wing of Sinn Féin which had been running the country since the split in the party. It continued in power until 1932 when it was defeated at a general election by Fianna Fáil, formed in 1927 from the anti-Treaty Sinn Féin. After another defeat the following year, Cumann na nGaedheal merged with the Centre Party and the National Guard to form Fine Gael in September 1933. Between 1933 and 1973, the Party was in government twice, in coalition with the Labour Party, Clann na Poblachta, Clann na Talmhan and National Labour in the First Inter-Party Government, 1948ñ51, and with Labour and Clann na Talmhan in the Second Inter-Party Government, 1954ñ57.

Scope and content

Minutes of meetings of the Free State newspaper sub-committee (1922), the propaganda sub-committee (1922) the election sub-committee, the general election committee and the treaty election committee (1922ñ3), the executive organising committee (1924ñ5), the Ard Comhairle (1923ñ8), the standing committee (1923ñ8, 1933ñ45), and the parliamentary party (1929ñ49).Minutes of the standing committee of the National Farmers’ and Ratepayers’ League (1932ñ3).

Electionsógeneral, Seanad, presidential, by-elections, local government and constitutional referenda: lists of candidates; biographical details; copies of speeches and points for speakers; arrangements for conventions, meetings and rallies; publicity material including posters, handbills and published advertisements (1948ñ72).

Constituency files: correspondence between national headquarters and constituency and branch officers concerning local organisation; lists of members of constituency and branch executives; copies of branch reports and reports on the election of officers in constituencies and branches; correspondence on recruitment, membership, finance, affiliation, policy, local issues, and arrangements for the national collection (1954ñ75).

Organisational files: records of the standing committee and of committees on policy, organisation, strategy, tactics, finance, and research and information; national council notices and minutes of meetings; Ard Fheis resolutions and proceedings; Dáil and Seanad whip files; copies of speeches by front bench spokesmen, back bench T.D.s and members of the Seanad; reports of youth group and trade union group conferences (1948ñ71).

Newspaper cuttings and copies of party publications and periodicals.

Access:

Application to consult the collection must be made to the depositor. Details of the procedure may be had from UCDAD.
UCDAD reader’s ticket and appointment necessary.