Collins and de Valera : Friends or Foes ?

Résumé En Fr

Although a life-long admirer of Eamon de Valera, Jack Lynch who succeeded Sean Lemass as leader of the Fianna Fail Party and Taoiseach (1966-1973 ; 1977-79), recognises that to a large extent de Valera and Collins shared the same views, philosophies and ideals. He deplores that the Collins/De Valera Pact was not given the chance it deserved, and questions Collins's attitude to the Treaty if he had known that sixty years later, such little progress would have been made in bringing the two parts of Ireland together. In a remarkable effort to rise above past bitterness the author claims that the only durable solution of Ireland's problems, be it the Ulster crisis or the current recession, will be based on the coming together of the people of the island in peace and reconciliation and the co-operation of all in the national interest.

Although a life-long admirer of Eamon de Valera, Jack Lynch who succeeded Sean Lemass as leader of the Fianna Fail Party and Taoiseach (1966-1973 ; 1977-79), recognises that to a large extent de Valera and Collins shared the same views, philosophies and ideals. He deplores that the Collins/De Valera Pact was not given the chance it deserved, and questions Collins's attitude to the Treaty if he had known that sixty years later, such little progress would have been made in bringing the two parts of Ireland together. In a remarkable effort to rise above past bitterness the author claims that the only durable solution of Ireland's problems, be it the Ulster crisis or the current recession, will be based on the coming together of the people of the island in peace and reconciliation and the co-operation of all in the national interest.