A nation-builder who didn’t bring his parenting skills home

TERRY DE VALERA’S memoir, which was published this week, has some fascinating insights. As the youngest son of Eamon de Valera, Terry provides some up-to-date observations of his own on the international scene.

Throughout his life, in times of strife the Long Fellow turned to America but Terry believes his father would not be impressed with the behaviour of the United States now.

"He would not have had the same admiration for the US today, especially its government's foreign policy over the last few decades. Like all other large and powerful states, it has become bluntly and distinctly imperial, both in its attitude, but above all, its actions," Terry contends. "No fair-minded person can believe the arguments they put forward to justify their piratical activities and those of their lackey allies."