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record of facts. 'History is the lie agreed upon' is a saying attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte. But who accepts, or agrees to, the lie? The successful party of course... in times of revolution, when the former vanquished may become the present victors, written history undergoes a change also...'. Refers to 'popular' or 'traditional' history, which can be more correct in viewpoint than written or scientific history, though not in detail, and it is frequently entirely erroneous. Witness statements are frequently at odds. There is also 'a curious phenomena of mind' whereby, after a lapse of time, it is possible to get nearer the truth of an affair, than was possible at the time. Chapter 4: ‘...a survey of Irish affairs at the present time, in this month of February, in the year 1933 A.D.' Refers to election of Fianna Fail to government with a majority. Offers an explanation of the voting figures, claimed by Fianna Fail as a 'great victory'. Notes that Fianna Fail in Government from 1932 as a minority, embarked on a policy which brought the state into conflict of a kind with the British Government, an 'economic war', amid loud criticism, suddenly called and election in January (1933). Chapter 5: Refers to situation in Northern Ireland, where the lack of proportional representation means the Catholic minority does not have proper representation, but does generally obey 'the powers that be', despite injustices in administration. Chapter 6: Free State politics. Refers to policy differences within Fianna Fail and within Cumann na nGaedheal. Also refers to the Centre Party a mainly farmers party, the Labour Party and a number of independents.
Chapter 7: Comments on groups outside the Dáil parties including the rump Sinn Féin, IRA, communist party.
Chapter 8: Analyses 'the streams of ideas and theories one finds expressed'. Such as that Ireland has been 'fighting for liberty' for 750 years, and such as that the idea of republicanism in Ireland began with Wolfe Tone, and such as declarations of supporters of the Irish language, and the strong stream of coercive and terrorist measures against political opponents, originating in the 'Black and Tan' period and 'a legacy bequeathed to the men...who made and fought 'the civil war' '. Also notes that, 'but for the existence of the body called the Army Comrades Association, the recent election would have brought forth much greater terrorism than it did'. Claims there was personation in the election by Fianna Fail, a product of the 'slave mind' and 'inferiority complex', which leads 'many good people astray', such as Mary MacSwiney. 'The majority of people were not republican in 1918 nor in 1921'. Party politics has 'sunk so deep' into Irish life that any new business opening is attributed to the government. Notes that the steamship did more to change agricultural and industrial conditions than any laws of the British parliament by enabling the sending of live cattle. 'The idea that work, enterprise, good management, capital, are necessary for
Liam de Róiste Descriptive List. © Cork City and County Archives Service 2026
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