De Valera’s finest hour came after Churchill’s post-war attack on him

SIXTY years ago the country was waiting for Eamon de Valera to respond to Winston Churchill’s stinging criticism of his wartime conduct.

When it came, the response was masterful, and those who heard the speech never forget where they were when they heard it.

Vincent Massey, the Canadian High Commissioner in London, thought it was in reaction to the Taoiseach’s condolence gesture following the death of Hitler that Churchill lashed out at de Valera during a victory address over BBC on May 13, l945. In fact, it was more likely that the prime minister was seizing the chance to contrast the loyalty of Northern Ireland with what he considered de Valera’s rancid indifference. This would weaken any attempt the Taoiseach might later make to cause trouble over partition.