Fine Gael could learn much from its founders

EIGHTY years ago on Sunday last, a new political party was publicly unveiled at a convention in the Mansion House.

Approximately 150 delegates and representatives attended the meeting officially to launch the Cumann na nGaedheal party.

As the Civil War was still in progress, there was a strong military presence as the president of the executive council of the Irish Free State, WT Cosgrave, addressed the assembled gathering and voiced the need to “attract the best elements of the nation and bring home to everyone the need for a sound national organisation which knew neither creed nor class but worked for the best interests of the people and the nation”.