The Mick Clifford Podcast: Who was Éamon de Valera? Colum Kenny reflects 50 years after his death

Half a century after Éamon de Valera’s death, historian Colum Kenny examines the legacy of Ireland’s most divisive leader

President of the Executive Council Eamon de Valera accompanied by members of the ministry attend a ceremony commemorating the 21th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, at Arbour Hill area in Dublin on May 6, 1937. (Photo by FRANCE PRESSE VOIR / AFP)

Fifty years to the week after the death of Éamon de Valera, we speak with his biographer Colum Kenny about the making of the man who dominated the Irish state for the first half of its existence. 

Revered by some and hated by others, his rule has faced extensive revision since his death.

Revolutionary, statesman, and leader, yet also seen as conniving and dishonest for his role in creating the brutal Civil War — who was the man who oversaw de Valera’s Ireland? 

Colum Kenny is this week’s guest on the podcast.

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