Saor Éire
|
Saor Éire
|
|
|---|---|
| Leader | Peadar O'Donnell |
| Chairman | Seán Hayes |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Dissolved | 1931 |
| Headquarters | Ireland |
| Newspaper | An Phoblacht |
| Ideology |
Irish republicanism Communism Pro-Soviet |
| Political position | Far-left |
| Colours | Red |
Saor Éire (IPA: [s̪ˠɯɾˠ eːɾʲə] / [s̪ˠiːɾˠ eːɾʲə], meaning Free Ireland) was a left-wing political organisation established in September 1931 by communist-leaning members of the Irish Republican Army, with the backing of the IRA leadership. Notable among its founders was Peadar O'Donnell, former editor of An Phoblacht and a leading left-wing figure in the IRA. Saor Éire described itself as "an organization of workers and working farmers".
It has been suggested that the support of the then IRA chief of staff, Moss (Maurice) Twomey, 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 An Phoblacht, under the editorship of Frank Ryan, to report on its progress and to promote its radical, left-wing republican views.
On the weekend of 26 to 27 of September 1931, Saor Éire held its first conference in Dublin at Iona Hall. One hundred and fifty delegates from both the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland 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 acted as secretary.
The conference elected an executive of Hayes, Fitzgerald, Sean McGuinness, May Laverty, Helena Molony, Sheila Dowling, Sheila Humphreys, D. McGinley, Mick Fitzpatrick, Seán MacBride, Michael Price, Peadar O'Donnell, Mick Hallissey, M. O'Donnell, Patrick McCormack, Tom Kenny, L. Brady, Nicholas Boran, John Mulgrew and Tom Maguire.George Gilmore and Frank Ryan were also involved.
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