Eamon de Valera (1882 - 1975)

De Valera's work and life saw the resurgence of the Irish culture and nation.

The child of a Spanish father and an Irish mother, de Valera was born in New York City, but moved to Ireland upon the death of his father. He became a teacher of mathematics and an avid supporter of the Irish language movement.

In 1913 he joined the Irish Volunteers, who wanted home rule for Ireland. By 1916 he was a leader in the group and was the last commander to surrender in the anti-British Easter Uprising. Arrested, he was saved from a death sentence because of his American birth and instead received a sentence of life imprisonment.

The Amnesty of 1917 made him a free man. That same year, he became a member of Parliament and president of Sinn Fein. In 1918, Britain attempted to impose conscription on the Irish and de Valera led the resistance. Imprisoned, he escaped in early 1919, and made a hero. He toured the United States, where he successfully raised funds for Irish independence.

Meanwhile, back in Ireland, the revolutionary Parliament (Dail Eireann) that declared the country independent, had appointed de Valera president. He returned to Ireland in 1920, to find the country in a near-war against British rule.

The British offer of independence in 1921 was opposed by de Valera for two reasons: Northern Ireland was excluded from the treaty, and Irish officials would have to swear allegiance to the crown. However, Michael Collins signed the treaty, enraging de Valera. The treaty was passed by a narrow margin in the Dail and de Valera resigned as president.

The years of civil war that followed were deplored by de Valera, and he refused to enter his Fianna Fail party into the government until 1927. His party took control of the Dail in 1932, and he headed the government. He declared constitutional independence from Britain, with the consequence of a tariff war with England.

In 1937 he introduced a new constitution that made Ireland a sovereign state, and gave himself the title of taoiseach (prime minister). He would be re-elected to that role again in 1948, 1951 and 1957. Failing eyesight caused him to take on the less demanding role of president of the republic, to which he was elected in 1959 and 1966. He served in that role until the age of 90.

1. On seeing that Downpatrick lions were collecting mone in Market street last week end, o toole said " I know they say its going to a good cause but personally i think their lyin"

2. Our careers teacher Frank mcGovern was recently giving out leaflets to our class. When rory recieved one, he said " Frank you very much"

3. One day a few weeks ago the bell system in the red high was not operating, Rory then marched up to Mark Bell and said "I didnt think you'd be in today, the bells are off"

4. James morrison (gums) has recently obtained employment in the fast food franchise McDonalds in Downpatrick. When rory heard this he said, " I suppose its quite close to morrisons"

5. A friend of ours recently snogged a girl called Jill, Otoole said to our fiend, "when Jack finds out youre screwed!"

6. After a heavy weekend of alcohal consumption in merseyside, we were by passing a popular laundry franchise named "liver landrette" O toole spied the landrette to which he commented, "im goin in there to get my liver cleaned out"

7. Rory was talkin to brett zych one day about shopping and proceeded to ask him, "do you buy your underwear in victorias zychcret"

8. While at his place of occupation, the bar in the golf club, Rory was serving a young married couple, they started arguing over what wine to get, the wife said white, whereas the husband said red. Rory then said "Stop whining and just pick one"

9. He once asked Rory Woodside "are you related to forestside?"

10. After arriving @ Meaves recent house party Rory exclaimed "Im assuming, there are a lot of assumption girls here" this is before he apparently slagged them all off

11. During engaging in a conversation with Connel Magee, Rory asked him "so what time do you get your car to at nite?" Connel replied "Any time i want" Rory then remarked "So you have no carfu then"

12. After seeing a man in a jeep wearing non brand clothes, Rory said "look at that guys clothes, hes so jeep"

13. After our groups 2006 holiday the greek island of crete,which devine was regretably absent for, otoole, always the considerate didnt want to rub it in to ciaran about missing the excursion so he told us to "be dis-crete"

14. On the same vacation we ran into a bit of bother wen we witnessed a fight between two gentlemen named Daryl and Lee, while discussing the rucus back at the apartment, otoole walks to the fridge, opens it and exclaims " hav we got any darylee?"