Aontacht Éireann
Encyclopedia
Aontacht Éireann (Irish Unity) was an Irish
political party
founded by Kevin Boland
, a former Fianna Fáil
government minister and advocate of Irish republicanism
. The party mainly operated within the Republic of Ireland
.
Boland resigned from Dáil Éireann
on 4 November 1970 as an act of sympathy with sacked ministers Neil Blaney
and Charles Haughey
, who were dismissed by Taoiseach
Jack Lynch
following their refusal to support Government policy on Northern Ireland
and amid allegations of misuse of aid to Northern Ireland during the Arms Crisis
. In May 1971, Boland resigned from Fianna Fáil; on 19 September 1971, he launched the new party before an audience of over one thousand delegates.
Seán Sherwin
, Fianna Fáil TD
for Dublin South West
, was the only serving member of the Dáil to join Aontacht Éireann. Sherwin would later return to Fianna Fáil and serve as its National Organiser. Desmond Foley
, who had served as Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin County North
, resigned from the Dáil on the same day as Kevin Boland ; he also joined Aontacht Éireann upon its foundation. Captain James Kelly, who was implicated and then cleared in the Arms Trial, became Vice-Chairman of Aontacht Éireann.
The party supported Northern Ireland's republicans
more vehemently than Fianna Fáil and took a more left wing stance in terms of economics. At the Irish general election, 1973
, Boland and twelve other candidates, including Sherwin and Foley, stood for Dáil Éireann under the Aontacht Éireann banner. None was successful and the party received less than 1% of the total national vote. Boland himself won only 6% of the vote in his constituency, Dublin County South
. Boland would resign in 1976. The party briefly held local representation with Gerry Carroll serving as a member of Cork City Council
. The party was formally wound up in 1984.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
founded by Kevin Boland
Kevin Boland
Kevin Boland , was a senior Irish politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1957 as a Fianna Fáil TD. He served as Minister for Defence , Minister for Social Welfare and Minister for Local Government...
, a former Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
government minister and advocate of Irish republicanism
Irish Republicanism
Irish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
. The party mainly operated within the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
Boland resigned from Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
on 4 November 1970 as an act of sympathy with sacked ministers Neil Blaney
Neil Blaney
Neil Terence Columba Blaney was a senior Irish politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1948 as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála representing Donegal East. Blaney served as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs , Minister for Local Government and Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries...
and Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
, who were dismissed by Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
following their refusal to support Government policy on Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and amid allegations of misuse of aid to Northern Ireland during the Arms Crisis
Arms Crisis
The Arms Crisis or Arms Trial was a political scandal in the Republic of Ireland in 1970, when two cabinet ministers — Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney — were sacked for allegedly attempting to illegally import arms for the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland.-Background:The...
. In May 1971, Boland resigned from Fianna Fáil; on 19 September 1971, he launched the new party before an audience of over one thousand delegates.
Seán Sherwin
Seán Sherwin
Seán Sherwin was an Irish Fianna Fáil Party politician who sat from 1970–1973 as TD for Dublin South West.He was an unsuccessful candidate in the Dublin South West constituency at the 1969 general election. However, Dublin South West's long-serving Labour Party TD Seán Dunne, who had been...
, Fianna Fáil TD
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
for Dublin South West
Dublin South West (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Dublin South–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
, was the only serving member of the Dáil to join Aontacht Éireann. Sherwin would later return to Fianna Fáil and serve as its National Organiser. Desmond Foley
Desmond Foley
Desmond 'Des' Foley was an Irish sports star in the 1960s, specialising in the Gaelic games of Gaelic football and hurling. He was also an Irish parliamentarian and represented Fianna Fáil in Dáil Éireann....
, who had served as Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin County North
Dublin County North (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Dublin County North was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1969 to 1981...
, resigned from the Dáil on the same day as Kevin Boland ; he also joined Aontacht Éireann upon its foundation. Captain James Kelly, who was implicated and then cleared in the Arms Trial, became Vice-Chairman of Aontacht Éireann.
The party supported Northern Ireland's republicans
Irish Republicanism
Irish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
more vehemently than Fianna Fáil and took a more left wing stance in terms of economics. At the Irish general election, 1973
Irish general election, 1973
The Irish general election of 1973 was held on 28 February 1973. The newly elected 144 members of the 20th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 4 March when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
, Boland and twelve other candidates, including Sherwin and Foley, stood for Dáil Éireann under the Aontacht Éireann banner. None was successful and the party received less than 1% of the total national vote. Boland himself won only 6% of the vote in his constituency, Dublin County South
Dublin County South (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Dublin County South was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1969 to 1981...
. Boland would resign in 1976. The party briefly held local representation with Gerry Carroll serving as a member of Cork City Council
Cork City Council
Cork City Council is the local authority which is responsible for the city of Cork and its immediate hinterland in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment...
. The party was formally wound up in 1984.