Patrick Belton

Patrick Belton (1884 – 30 January 1945) was an Irish nationalist, politician, farmer, and businessman. He was strongly anti-communist and he was a founder and leader of the Irish Christian Front. Closely associated with Michael Collins, he was active in the 1916 Easter Rising and in the Republican movement in the years that followed. Belton later provided a strong Catholic voice in an Irish nationalist context throughout his career. Supportive of General Francisco Franco, Belton however opposed General Eoin O'Duffy taking an Irish Brigade to Spain, feeling that they would be needed in Ireland to counter domestic "political ills". His family, including three sons and a granddaughter (Avril Doyle), also went on to have careers in Irish politics.

He was born in 1884 in Rathcline, near Lanesborough, County Longford. He attended the local national school and subsequently won a scholarship to King's College, London. Following his education, he stayed in London and entered the Civil Service. He became very friendly with Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins at this time. In 1905, he was present at the establishment of the Sinn Féin organisation in London, and in November 1909, according to some sources, he initiated Michael Collins into Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). He was a prominent member of the Geraldines GAA Club in London, and he was for many years its President. In 1909 he became Secretary of the London County Board of the GAA.

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