Saor Éire
Encyclopedia
Saor Éire was a left-wing political organisation established in September 1931 by communist
-leaning members of the Irish Republican Army
, with the backing of the IRA leadership. Notable among its founders was Peadar O'Donnell
, former editor of An Phoblacht
and a leading left-wing figure in the IRA. Saor Éire described itself as "an organization of workers and working farmers". In 1967 a republican-paramilitary group was established which used the same name (see above link for more information) but was not known to have direct links with the original grouping.
Other notable active members of Saor Éire included George Gilmore
, Frank Ryan
, David Fitzgerald, Seán Hayes, Michael Fitzpatrick, Seán MacBride
, Sheila Humphreys
and Mick Hallissey Caherciveen. It has been suggested that the support of the then IRA chief of staff, Moss (Maurice) Twomey
, was instrumental in the organisation's establishment. During its short existence Saor Éire used the republican publication An Phoblacht
, under the editorship of Frank Ryan, to report on its progress and to promote its radical, left-wing republican views.
On the weekend of 26 to 27 of September 1931, Saor Éire held its first conference in Dublin at Iona Hall. One hundred and fifty delegates from both the Free State and the North attended the conference against a background of police raids on the houses and offices connected with Saor Éire and An Phoblacht. Seán Hayes was chairman, while David Fitzgerald acted as secretary. The constitution listed the organisation’s objectives as being:
The constitution elaborated upon the aims by describing a two-phase programme. The first phase was described as being one of organisation and propagandising in order to organise a solid front for mass resistance to the oppressors. This would build upon the day-to-day resistance and activity towards "rents, annuities, evictions, seizures, bank sales, lock-outs, strikes and wage-cuts." This challenge, it was believed, would lead to power passing from the hands of the Imperialists to the masses. The second phase was one of consolidation of power through the organisation of the economy and a workers' and working farmers' republic.
Ideologically Saor Éire adhered to the Irish socialist republicanism developed by James Connolly
and Peadar O'Donnell. As a consequence of the heavy influence of O'Donnell, Saor Éire strongly advocated the revival of Gaelic culture and the involvement of the poorer rural working communities in any rise against the Irish capitalist institutions and British imperialism.
The organisation was attacked by the center-right press and the Catholic Church
as a dangerous communist group, and was quickly banned by the Free State
government. The strength of reaction against it prevented it becoming an effective political organisation. O'Donnell and his supporters would attempt a similar initiative two years later with the establishment of the Republican Congress
in 1933.
In later years Fianna Fáil
accused Clann na Poblachta
of being a revival of Saor Éire.
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
-leaning members of the Irish Republican Army
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
, with the backing of the IRA leadership. Notable among its founders was Peadar O'Donnell
Peadar O'Donnell
Peadar O'Donnell was an Irish republican and socialist activist and writer.-Early life:Peadar O'Donnell was born into an Irish speaking family in Dungloe, County Donegal in northwest Ireland, in 1893. He attended St. Patrick's College, Dublin, where he trained as a teacher...
, former editor of An Phoblacht
An Phoblacht
An Phoblacht is the official newspaper of Sinn Féin in Ireland. It is published once a month, and according to its website sells an average of up to 15,000 copies every month and was the first Irish paper to provide an edition online and currently having in excess of 100,000 website hits per...
and a leading left-wing figure in the IRA. Saor Éire described itself as "an organization of workers and working farmers". In 1967 a republican-paramilitary group was established which used the same name (see above link for more information) but was not known to have direct links with the original grouping.
Other notable active members of Saor Éire included George Gilmore
George Gilmore
George Gilmore was a Protestant Irish Republican Army leader during the 1920s and 1930s. During his period of influence the Republican movement moved significantly to the left...
, Frank Ryan
Frank Ryan (Irish republican)
Frank Ryan was a prominent member of the Irish Republican Army, editor of An Phoblacht, leftist activist and leader of Irish volunteers on the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War....
, David Fitzgerald, Seán Hayes, Michael Fitzpatrick, Seán MacBride
Seán MacBride
Seán MacBride was an Irish government minister and prominent international politician as well as a Chief of Staff of the IRA....
, Sheila Humphreys
Sheila Humphreys
Sheila Humphreys, sometimes known as Sighle Humphreys, was an Irish political activist and member of Cumann na mBan.-Background:...
and Mick Hallissey Caherciveen. It has been suggested that the support of the then IRA chief of staff, Moss (Maurice) Twomey
Moss (Maurice) Twomey
Moss ' Twomey was an Irish republican and chief of staff of the Irish Republican Army .-Early life:...
, was instrumental in the organisation's establishment. During its short existence Saor Éire used the republican publication An Phoblacht
An Phoblacht
An Phoblacht is the official newspaper of Sinn Féin in Ireland. It is published once a month, and according to its website sells an average of up to 15,000 copies every month and was the first Irish paper to provide an edition online and currently having in excess of 100,000 website hits per...
, under the editorship of Frank Ryan, to report on its progress and to promote its radical, left-wing republican views.
On the weekend of 26 to 27 of September 1931, Saor Éire held its first conference in Dublin at Iona Hall. One hundred and fifty delegates from both the Free State and the North attended the conference against a background of police raids on the houses and offices connected with Saor Éire and An Phoblacht. Seán Hayes was chairman, while David Fitzgerald acted as secretary. The constitution listed the organisation’s objectives as being:
- To achieve an independent revolutionary leadership for the working class and working farmers towards the overthrow of British imperialism and its ally, Irish capitalism.
- To organise and consolidate the Republic of Ireland on the basis of the possession and administration by the workers and working farmers, of the land, instruments of production, distribution, and exchange.
- To restore and foster the Irish language, culture, and games.
The constitution elaborated upon the aims by describing a two-phase programme. The first phase was described as being one of organisation and propagandising in order to organise a solid front for mass resistance to the oppressors. This would build upon the day-to-day resistance and activity towards "rents, annuities, evictions, seizures, bank sales, lock-outs, strikes and wage-cuts." This challenge, it was believed, would lead to power passing from the hands of the Imperialists to the masses. The second phase was one of consolidation of power through the organisation of the economy and a workers' and working farmers' republic.
Ideologically Saor Éire adhered to the Irish socialist republicanism developed by James Connolly
James Connolly
James Connolly was an Irish republican and socialist leader. He was born in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh, Scotland, to Irish immigrant parents and spoke with a Scottish accent throughout his life. He left school for working life at the age of 11, but became one of the leading Marxist theorists of...
and Peadar O'Donnell. As a consequence of the heavy influence of O'Donnell, Saor Éire strongly advocated the revival of Gaelic culture and the involvement of the poorer rural working communities in any rise against the Irish capitalist institutions and British imperialism.
The organisation was attacked by the center-right press and the Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
as a dangerous communist group, and was quickly banned by the Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
government. The strength of reaction against it prevented it becoming an effective political organisation. O'Donnell and his supporters would attempt a similar initiative two years later with the establishment of the Republican Congress
Republican Congress
The Republican Congress was an Irish republican political organisation founded in 1934, when left-wing republicans left the Irish Republican Army. The Congress was led by such IRA veterans as Peadar O'Donnell, Frank Ryan and George Gilmore. It was a socialist organisation and was dedicated to a...
in 1933.
In later years 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...
accused Clann na Poblachta
Clann na Poblachta
Clann na Poblachta , abbreviated CnaP, was an Irish republican and social democratic political party founded by former Irish Republican Army Chief of Staff Seán MacBride in 1946.-Foundation:...
of being a revival of Saor Éire.