Deposited Collections

Institutional history

Founded by Eamon de Valera and launched on 16 May 1926, Fianna Fáil emerged from a split among those in the Sinn Féin Party who had rejected the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. The new party decided that its members, if elected, should take seats in the Free State Parliament [Dáil]. Among the party’s stated aims were re-unification of the national territory, restoration of the Irish language, and redistribution of wealth. Fianna Fáil first came to power in 1932, and governed the country from 1932–48; 1951–54; 1957–73; 1977–81; 1982; 1987–89. In 1989 it entered a coalition government with the Progressive Democrat Party. In 1991 it formed a coalition government with the Labour Party, which ran until 1994. In government, the Party oversaw the introduction of a new constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann, in 1937.

Archival History

The archives of the Fianna Fáil Party were deposited in UCD Archives in May 2000.

Scope and Content

Minutes of meetings of the party’s National Executive (1936–79); organisation and finance sub-committee (1927–90); publicity sub-committee (1933–50); constituencies sub-committee (1984–86); trade union affairs and employment sub-committee (1985); National University of Ireland sub-committee (1988–90); the parliamentary party (1927–90); the standing/general committee (1927–31); and the national youth committee (1982–92).

Elections—general, Seanad, presidential, by-elections, local government and constitutional referenda: lists of candidates; biographical details; copies of speeches and points for speakers; arrangements for conventions, meetings and rallies; campaign correspondence; fundraising and expenditure cash books, accounts, and circulars; publicity material including posters, handbills, and published advertisements; constituency maps; press cuttings; and analyses of results (1927–91).

Constituency files: correspondence between national headquarters and constituency and branch officers concerning local organisation, registration of cumainn, the national collection, election of officers, selection of candidates, and local issues. Correspondence relating to re-organisation initiatives. Copies of branch reports and reports on the election of officers in constituencies and branches. Correspondence with officers and members on recruitment, membership, finance, affiliation, policy, election campaigns, and local and personal issues (1937–87).

Organisational files: correspondence files of general secretaries, assistant general secretaries, the director of organisation, and national organiser. Records of the national executive; of Cairde Fáil; and of sub-committees concerned with organisation and finance, publicity, the constituencies, trade union affairs and employment, and the National University of Ireland. Records of Ógra, the party’s youth organisation, including those of national youth education officers, the national youth committee, and of Dublin and national youth conferences. Cash books, ledgers, and other financial records concerning the national collection and general revenue and expenditure. Ard Fheis clar, reports, and speeches; nomination books and attendance books; constitution and rules; and records of the Ard Fheis committee. Copies of speeches by Taoisigh, party leaders, ministers and front bench spokesmen. Records of party anniversaries and commemorations (1926–93).

Material relating to the split with Sinn Féin and the evolution of the party (1915–28).

Correspondence on American fundraising and the foundation of the Irish Press newspaper(1926–31).

Records of the party’s involvement in anti-partition movements in Britain and elsewhere (1929–55), and press cuttings and printed matter on the escalation of violence in Northern Ireland (1969–73).

Party publications and periodicals, and national and local newspapers (1913–90).

Photographs (1918–89).

• Access: Application to consult the collection must be made to the depositor. Details of the procedure may be had from UCD Archives. UCD Archives reader's ticket and appointment necessary. Produced for consultation in microform.
• Language: English and Irish.
• Finding aid: Descriptive catalogue