Ernest Blythe 1889-1932: a political study

Abstract

Ernest Blythe was a central figure in the Irish revolution, playing a major role in the consolidation and settlement of the Irish Free State. He was a leading organiser and recruitment officer for the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Irish Volunteers before and after the Rising of 1916. Following the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, Blythe served in a variety of governmental posts in the Cumann na nGhaedheal party from 1922-1932. He was elected to the position of Vice-President of the Executive following the assassination of Kevin O’Higgins in July 1927.

Blythe’s allegiance to Irish nationalism ran counter to his Ulster Unionist upbringing. He was considered a major threat to British interests in Ireland during the revolutionary period. He was a devotee of the Irish language believing strongly that Ireland would lose its individuality as a nation if the language died out. His views on partition were regarded as highly controversial when he stated that England was not to blame for partition but Ireland herself.

This is the first Doctor of Philosophy treatment of Ernest Blythe which offers a broad, in-depth investigation as to why he chose to follow Irish nationalism. Blythe, not as popular as some of his revolutionary comrades of the period, but nevertheless, a stalwart in terms of his contribution to Irish independence, has been marginalised by historians except for a few journal articles and a recent publication by D. Fitzpatrick. He has also been the subject of much criticism resulting from his more controversial policies when he was in government.

The rehabilitation of Ernest Blythe is long overdue. Blythe was a man of substance, who believed absolutely in Ireland’s right to nationhood, who remained true to his youthful vow of Rachainn leis na Fíníní [I would go with the Fenians], and who worked tirelessly to achieve his objectives.

Date of Award	Nov 2019
Original language	English
Supervisor	Peter O'Connor (Supervisor) & James Loughlin (Supervisor)