Saor Éire (; meaning 'Free Ireland') was a far-left political organisation established in September 1931 by

communist Communism (from Latin la, communis, lit=common, universal, label=none) is a far-left sociopolitical, philosophical, and economic ideology and current within the socialist movement whose goal is the establishment of a communist society, ...

-leaning members of the

Irish Republican Army The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is a name used by various paramilitary organisations in Ireland throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Organisations by this name have been dedicated to irredentism through Irish republicanism, the belief th ...

, with the backing of the IRA leadership. Notable among its founders was

Peadar O'Donnell Peadar O'Donnell ( ga, Peadar Ó Domhnaill; 22 February 1893 – 13 May 1986) was one of the foremost radicals of 20th-century Ireland. O'Donnell became prominent as an Irish republican, socialist activist, politician and writer. Early life Pea ...

, former editor of ''

An Phoblacht ''An Phoblacht'' (Irish pronunciation: ; en, "The Republic") is a formerly weekly, and currently monthly newspaper published by Sinn Féin in Ireland. From early 2018 onwards, ''An Phoblacht'' has moved to a magazine format while remaining an ...

'' and a leading far-left figure in the IRA. Saor Éire described itself as "an organisation of workers and working farmers". It has been suggested that the support of the then IRA chief of staff,

Moss (Maurice) Twomey Maurice Twomey ( ga, Muirgheas Ó Tuama; 10 June 1897 – October 1978) was an Irish republican and the longest serving chief of staff of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Early life Twomey was born in 1897 in Clondulane, near Fermoy, Cou ...

, was instrumental in the organisation's establishment. However, Tim Pat Coogan claimed that Twomey was doubtful about the organisation, worrying about involvement in electoral politics and possible communist influence. During its short existence Saor Éire used the republican publication ''

'', under the editorship of Frank Ryan, to report on its progress and to promote its far-left republican views.

History

On the weekend of 26 to 27 September 1931, Saor Éire held its first conference in Dublin at Iona Hall. One hundred and fifty delegates from both the

Irish Free State The Irish Free State ( ga, Saorstát Éireann, , ; 6 December 192229 December 1937) was a state established in December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921. The treaty ended the three-year Irish War of Independence between ...

and

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label=Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is #Descriptions, variously described as ...

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 (Tipperary)acted as secretary. The conference elected an executive of Hayes, Fitzgerald, Sean McGuinness, May Laverty (Belfast),

Helena Molony Helena Mary Molony (15 January 1883 – 29 January 1967) was a prominent Irish republican, feminist and labour activist. She fought in the 1916 Easter Rising and later became the second woman president of the Irish Trades Union Congress. Early ...

, Sheila Dowling,

Sheila Humphreys Sheila Humphreys, also known as Sighle Humphreys (26 February 1899 – 14 March 1994), was an Irish political activist and member of Cumann na mBan. Background Sheila Humphreys was born in Limerick into a wealthy family and raised at Quinsborou ...

, D. McGinley, Mick Fitzpatrick,

Seán MacBride Seán MacBride (26 January 1904 – 15 January 1988) was an Irish Clann na Poblachta politician who served as Minister for External Affairs from 1948 to 1951, Leader of Clann na Poblachta from 1946 to 1965 and Chief of Staff of the IRA from 19 ...

, Michael Price, Peadar O'Donnell, Mick Hallissey (Kerry), M. O'Donnell (Offaly), Patrick McCormack (Antrim), Tom Kenny (Galway), L. Brady (Laois), Nicholas Boran (Kilkenny), John Mulgrew (Mayo) and

Tom Maguire Tom Maguire (28 March 1892 – 5 July 1993) was an Irish republican who held the rank of commandant-general in the Western Command of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and led the South Mayo flying column. Early life Tom Maguire was born 28 Ma ...

(Westmeath).

George Gilmore George Frederick Gilmore (5 May 1898 – 1985) was a Protestant Irish republican and communist who became an Irish Republican Army leader during the 1920s and 1930s. During his period of influence, Gilmore attempted to shift the IRA to the polit ...

and Frank Ryan were also involved. 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 ( ga, Séamas Ó Conghaile; 5 June 1868 – 12 May 1916) was an Irish republican, socialist and trade union leader. Born to Irish parents in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh, Scotland, Connolly left school for working life at the a ...

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 Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit. Central characteristics of capitalism include capital accumulation, competitive markets, price system, private ...

institutions and

British imperialism The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts esta ...

. Sean McBride described the organisation at its launch like this: The organisation was attacked by the centre-right press and the

Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwide . It is am ...

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 The Republican Congress ( ga, An Chomhdháil Phoblachtach) was an Irish republican and Marxist-Leninist political organisation founded in 1934, when pro-communist republicans left the Anti-Treaty Irish Republican Army. The Congress was led by ...

in 1933.

Policies

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.''An Phoblacht'', 17 October 1931

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saor Eire 1931 disestablishments in Ireland 1931 establishments in Ireland Communist organisations in Ireland Defunct organisations based in Northern Ireland Defunct organisations based in the Republic of Ireland Irish Republican Army (1922–1969) Irish republican organisations Organizations disestablished in 1931 Organizations established in 1931 Socialist organisations in the United Kingdom

History

Policies

See also

References