Big Fellow, Long Fellow

1. Two Unlikely Leaders: Contrasting Origins, Shared Ambition

On all sides people succeeded and made mistakes, even though partisans of de Valera and Collins have tended to paint the period in black and white terms, whereas in reality there were many shades of grey.

Divergent Backgrounds. Éamon de Valera, born in New York to an Irish immigrant mother and a disputed Spanish father, was raised in rural Ireland, marked by a sense of foreignness and early separation from his parents. Michael Collins, born on a prosperous farm in County Cork, enjoyed a close-knit family life and a strong sense of Irish identity from childhood. These contrasting origins shaped their distinct leadership styles and perspectives.

Parallel Paths to Nationalism. Despite their different beginnings, both men became deeply involved in the burgeoning Irish nationalist movement. De Valera, initially drawn to mathematics and teaching, found his passion in the Gaelic League and the Irish Volunteers. Collins, after a stint in the British civil service in London, returned to Ireland, driven by a belief in physical force and a desire for Irish independence.

Diverging Personalities. De Valera was known for his aloofness, intellectualism, and unwavering adherence to principles, often appearing rigid and uncompromising. Collins, in contrast, was charismatic, energetic, and pragmatic, willing to bend rules and make tough decisions to achieve his goals. These differences would ultimately contribute to the deep divisions that led to the Civil War.

2. The Easter Rising: Sacrifice, Blunders, and Shifting Tides

I do not think the Rising week was an appropriate time for the issue of memoranda couched in poetic phrase, nor of actions worked out in similar fashion.

The Spark of Rebellion. The Easter Rising of 1916, though militarily unsuccessful, ignited a flame of Irish nationalism that would transform the political landscape. De Valera, as a commandant in the Irish Volunteers, played a key role in defending the south-eastern approaches to Dublin, while Collins, as an aide to Joseph Mary Plunkett, participated in the occupation of the General Post Office (GPO).

Strategic Miscalculations. The Rising was marked by strategic blunders, including poor communication, inadequate planning, and a lack of coordination. De Valera's sector, for example, was severely undermanned, and Collins later criticized the Rising's leadership for its impractical idealism and lack of military experience.

Martyrdom and Transformation. The British government's harsh response to the Rising, including the execution of its leaders, galvanized public opinion and transformed the rebels into martyrs. This wave of sympathy propelled the separatist movement forward, setting the stage for the War of Independence.

3. Imprisonment: A Crucible for Revolutionaries

Let us be judged by what we attempted rather than what we achieved.

Frongoch: A Rebel University. Following the Easter Rising, both de Valera and Collins were imprisoned, albeit in different locations. While de Valera endured stricter conditions in English jails, Collins found himself in Frongoch internment camp in Wales, which became a hotbed of revolutionary activity.

Forging Connections. Frongoch provided Collins with an opportunity to forge connections with other nationalists from across Ireland, including future leaders like Richard Mulcahy and Liam Lynch. He also honed his organizational skills and developed a reputation as a charismatic and effective leader.

Diverging Paths. While Collins thrived in the relatively open environment of Frongoch, de Valera's experiences in English jails reinforced his sense of isolation and his commitment to a more disciplined and centralized approach to leadership. These differing experiences further widened the gap between the two men.

4. Reorganizing the Separatist Movement: Collins' Ascendancy

This Sinn Féin stunt is bloody balderdash! We want a Republic.

Filling the Vacuum. Following their release from prison, both de Valera and Collins played key roles in reorganizing the separatist movement. De Valera, as the surviving commandant of Easter Week, became a unifying figure, while Collins, through his organizational skills and IRB connections, rapidly gained influence within Sinn Féin.

Clash of Ideologies. De Valera, though committed to Irish independence, favored a more gradual and diplomatic approach, while Collins advocated for a more assertive and, if necessary, violent strategy. These differing ideologies created tension within the movement and set the stage for future conflict.

Collins' Power Base. Collins's appointment as director of organization of the Irish Volunteers and his election to the IRB's supreme council solidified his power base within the separatist movement. He was now in a position to shape the direction of the struggle for independence.

5. Conscription Crisis and the "German Plot": A Turning Point

The conscription proposals are to my liking as I think they will end well for Ireland.

British Overreach. The British government's attempt to impose conscription on Ireland in 1918 proved to be a major miscalculation. The threat of conscription united Irish nationalists across the political spectrum and provided Sinn Féin with a surge of popular support.

The "German Plot". The British government's subsequent arrest of Sinn Féin leaders, including de Valera and Griffith, on charges of conspiring with Germany further inflamed public opinion. While the "German Plot" was largely a fabrication, it served to solidify Sinn Féin's image as the true representatives of Irish nationalism.

Collins' Opportunity. With the senior leadership imprisoned, Collins was able to consolidate his control over the separatist movement. He used his position to build a network of intelligence operatives and to prepare for a renewed campaign of armed resistance.

6. The Anglo-Irish War: Intelligence, Assassination, and Retaliation

A force organised on practical lines and headed by realists would be of great consequence. Whereas a force organised on theoretical lines and headed by idealists would, I think, be a very doubtful factor.

Collins's War. Collins, as director of intelligence for the IRA, masterminded a campaign of targeted assassinations against British officials, police officers, and informers. This strategy, though controversial, proved highly effective in disrupting British rule and demoralizing the security forces.

The Squad and the Cairo Gang. Collins's elite assassination unit, known as "The Squad," carried out daring attacks in Dublin and elsewhere, while his network of spies provided invaluable intelligence. The British responded with their own counter-intelligence unit, the "Cairo Gang," leading to a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Escalation of Violence. The Anglo-Irish War was marked by escalating violence on both sides, with the IRA engaging in guerrilla warfare and the British security forces resorting to brutal reprisals. This cycle of violence further polarized Irish society and created a climate of fear and distrust.

7. Negotiating the Treaty: Compromise, Conflict, and Division

Let us be judged by what we attempted rather than what we achieved.

The Truce and Negotiations. The escalating violence and the growing international pressure eventually led to a truce in July 1921 and the opening of negotiations between the British government and Sinn Féin representatives. De Valera, as President of the Irish Republic, initially led the Irish delegation, but he ultimately decided to remain in Dublin, sending Griffith and Collins in his place.

Compromise and Division. The negotiations in London were fraught with tension and disagreement. The British government insisted on maintaining some form of control over Ireland, while the Irish delegation sought to achieve the greatest possible degree of independence. The resulting Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed in December 1921, granted Ireland dominion status within the British Commonwealth but fell short of full independence.

The Oath and Partition. The Treaty was deeply divisive, particularly over the issues of the oath of allegiance to the British monarch and the partition of Ireland. While Griffith and Collins argued that the Treaty represented the best possible outcome under the circumstances, de Valera and other Republicans rejected it as a betrayal of Irish independence.

8. The Irish Civil War: From Comrades to Enemies

We may forgive and forget many things, but it would pass even Irish ingratitude to forget this £5.

A Nation Divided. The signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty shattered the unity of the separatist movement and plunged Ireland into a brutal civil war. Former comrades in arms found themselves on opposing sides, fighting over the future of their nation.

Collins's Dilemma. Collins, as commander-in-chief of the Free State army, was forced to suppress the Republican opposition, including many of his former friends and allies. This deeply conflicted him, as he had always sought to unite the Irish people, not divide them.

Tragedy and Loss. The Civil War was a tragedy for Ireland, resulting in widespread destruction, loss of life, and a legacy of bitterness that would haunt the nation for decades. The conflict also claimed the lives of both Griffith and Collins, leaving a void in Irish leadership that would be difficult to fill.

9. De Valera's American Mission: Seeking Recognition, Facing Division

"Self-determination" is not a mere phrase. It is an imperative principle of action, which statesmen will henceforth ignore at their peril.

Seeking American Support. While Collins focused on the military struggle in Ireland, de Valera embarked on a mission to the United States to seek diplomatic recognition and financial support for the Irish Republic. He hoped to leverage President Woodrow Wilson's commitment to self-determination to gain international legitimacy for the Irish cause.

Internal Conflicts. De Valera's efforts in the United States were hampered by internal divisions within the Irish-American community. He clashed with influential figures like Judge Daniel Cohalan and John Devoy, who favored a more pragmatic approach focused on securing recognition of Ireland's right to self-determination rather than recognition of the Republic.

Limited Success. Despite his efforts, de Valera failed to secure official recognition from the United States government. However, he did raise significant funds for the Irish cause and helped to keep the issue of Irish independence in the international spotlight.

10. The Treaty's Aftermath: A Nation Divided

I have but one request to make at my departure from this world: it is the charity of its silence.

A Legacy of Division. The Anglo-Irish Treaty and the ensuing Civil War left a lasting legacy of division and bitterness in Irish society. The conflict shattered the unity of the nationalist movement and created deep wounds that would take generations to heal.

The Deaths of Leaders. The deaths of Collins and Griffith in 1922 marked a turning point in Irish history. Their absence created a vacuum in leadership and paved the way for a more conservative and inward-looking political culture.

A Long Shadow. The legacy of the Treaty and the Civil War continues to shape Irish politics and society to this day. The questions of national identity, sovereignty, and the relationship with Britain remain central to the Irish experience.

Last updated: February 23, 2025