The Special Relationship between Eamon de Valera & Archbishop Daniel Mannix 1913-1963 Patrick Mannix Research M.A. (History) 2011 Abstract This dissertation is an examination and evaluation from a historical perspective of the relationship that was established and forged between the former taoiseach and President of Ireland, Eamon de Valera and the former president of Maynooth and archbishop of Melbourne, Australia, Dr Daniel Mannix. Both men played a significant role, through their intervention in both the political and clerical fields, in the most formative years of Ireland’s fight for independence and subsequent goal to stabilise the new state during the years 1916 to 1948. As relating to this period this dissertation will examine how de Valera often turned to Mannix as a sort of fatherly figure for advice on a number of issues relating to Ireland’s push for independence. These issues included the influence of the Irish diaspora, the taking of the oath of allegiance and the future of partition in Ireland. The vast Irish diaspora worldwide including Dr Mannix, through their support, both financially and physically, and through demonstrations held for Ireland helped keep the push for autonomy alive. Having examined the role the archbishop played through his relationship with de Valera and the clergy the dissertation will appraise how Dr Mannix, so revered at one stage in Irish society, later became such an isolated figure very much akin to the development of his relationship with de Valera. Irish history has largely neglected the role ii of the archbishop and whether he should have received a papal appointment to a vacant see in Ireland. This historical analysis will be grounded in research of both primary and secondary sources including previously undocumented oral evidence, archival papers, written public and private correspondence between the two characters and a range of visual sources. iii The Special Relationship between Eamon de Valera & Archbishop Daniel Mannix 1913-1963 By Patrick Mannix 0551678 Dissertation completed under the supervision of Dr Ruan O’Donnell in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Research M.A. (History) of the University of Limerick, June 2011 iv Acknowledgements This dissertation originated during my leaving certificate year in the Intermediate School Killorglin during a conversation with my history teacher over the subject of the ‘special topic’ for my history exam. Therefore, my first debt is to my then teacher Mr Shane O’ Shea who first informed me of the connection between Mannix and de Valera. This dissertation would not have come to fruition; however, had it not been for the considerable support, guidance and perceptive criticism received from my supervisor Dr Ruan O’Donnell over the past number of years. I would also like to thank the staff and members of the History Department and the University of Limerick, especially Dr Bernadette Whelan, Dr John O’Callaghan, Dr Michael Ó hAodha and Paul Hayes for their help and support. In the process of researching and writing this dissertation, I have greatly benefited from the kind and generous assistance of many people and institutions. Firstly, to Mr Jeremiah O’Callaghan who so kindly allowed me to use some of his own personal resources to help with the final fruition of this dissertation. Sincere thanks also to Fr Brian Murphy for the numerous occasions he offered advice to me and pointed me in the right direction. To Brenda Niall for her advice, help and direction following on from her recent excellent research on Fr Hackett along with Danny Cusack for his help with sourcing material. To Val Noonan in Australia for providing me with useful information v from the Australian perspective along with James and Helga Griffin for their warm support and advice, I extend my best wishes. To the staff and my friends in the Houses of the Oireachtas – Committees and Library & Research sections who were always very supportive and helpful over the years with my numerous queries, especially Eileen, Mary, Anna and Seamus. Thanks to the exceptionally helpful staff of the University College Dublin Archives especially Kate; the staff of the National Archives Ireland especially Elizabeth McEvoy; the staff of the National Library of Ireland; the staff of the National Archives, Kew; Noelle Dowling at the Dublin Diocesan Archives; Penny Woods and Susan Durack at the Russell Library and Collections Library in Maynooth; the Central Catholic Library especially Mrs Teresa Whitington; Limerick County Library, Limerick Local Library in Dooradoyle and Limerick City Museum and Ken in Special Collections at the University of Limerick. My gratitude to Vicky Moran and John Glendon of RTÉ Radio Archives for their endless perseverance. Thanks to Mrs Mary Pigott of Killarney Town Council for her kind assistance in acquiring the Killarney Urban District Council Minutes for me. A kind thanks to Columban Fathers in the USA for sending me the account of their former Regional Director Fr McCarthy. I am very grateful to the co-operation of Mr Henry Scannell of the Boston Public Library and Mrs Anne Butler of U.L library for sourcing de Valera’s speech at Fenway Park in 1919. A very special heartfelt thanks to Mr Martin Fagan and the Rector of the Irish College in Rome for facilitating my work as the last piece of research to be undertaken at these Archives due to the absence of funding. Mr Tony Grieve for his information on the foundation. A final thanks to Karan Oberoi, Sarah Callanan and anyone else I have forgotten to mention. Thanks to all these friendly, vi helpful and courteous people, this piece of historical research was able to come to fruition. During the many draftings of the final text, I have had the benefit of constructive criticism from many people, but I would especially like to thank Mrs Mary Guerin, Fr Tom Looney for their detailed and helpful comments. To the extended surviving family of Archbishop Mannix especially Mrs Patricia Wallace-McCoombe for welcoming me into her home and being so kind and generous throughout my research, my heartfelt thanks. Also to Mrs Winifred Cross and her sister, Mary Ellen McCarthy in America for sending me excellent material and providing useful links to Dr Mannix’s past. Thank you sincerely. Finally to my family and my girlfriend for their support, love, and ability to tolerate the trials and tribulations that come with undertaking such a dissertation – my girlfriend Anna, my brother John Paul, my brother-in- law Chris, my sisters Norita and Helen, my niece Molly Lucia and most importantly my parents John and Christina. This dissertation is dedicated to them. Patrick J. Mannix Limerick, June 2011 vii Author’s Declaration This project is solely the work of the author and is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Research Masters of History at the University of Limerick. Signed: Patrick Mannix nd 2 June 2011 viii Contents Introduction 1 1 Community Politics (1845-1882) 15 2 Maynooth, a Gaelic Institution? (1882-1913) 26 3 Building a new life in Ireland and Australia (1913-1919) 45 4 The Belligerent Prelate (1919-1920) 62 5 Unchanged and Unchangeable: Forever Anti-Treaty (1920-1925) 80 6 A continuing presence (1925-1960) 100 Conclusion 121 Bibliography 137 Appendix I 149 Appendix II 151 Appendix III 152 Appendix IV 156 Appendix V 158 Appendix VI 159 Appendix VII 167 Appendix VIII 171 Appendix IX 179 ix Introduction Historian Joe Broderick first highlighted a ‘special’ relationship that existed between Eamon de Valera and Archbishop Daniel Mannix in 1994, fourteen years after de Valera’s death. Broderick wrote how: Nowadays Daniel Mannix merits no more than a footnote – often a misleading one – in texts on the War of Independence and its aftermath. Yet his performance had considerable bearing on the course of events. And for a moment at least, in 1921, he played a starring role on the stage of Irish history.1 Broderick recast Archbishop Daniel Mannix of Melbourne, who had been a vital player in the war of independence, back into the central pages of Irish history. Archbishop Mannix’s relationship with de Valera is a significant component of modern Irish history that needs to be investigated in depth, due to its historical importance and that is what this dissertation will aim to achieve. The relationship de Valera had with Mannix is a significant connection that historians have often overlooked in their analysis of the Irish independence movement. This dissertation will assess and analyse that relationship that existed for its importance and relevance to Ireland’s fight for freedom and for the subsequent effect it had on both men’s distinguished careers. This dissertation will be able to offer an analysis of key events that took place in Ireland during the years 1920 to 1925, through the medium of de Valera’s and Mannix’s special relationship. Although de Valera is one of the two protagonists of this dissertation, the investigation into their relationship will not be symmetrical. The dissertation will rather consider the forgotten character of Archbishop Mannix and portray how his relationship with de Valera helped influence Irish affairs during the years 1920 to 1925. These years generate the core argument of the dissertation, as the relationship between the two men was most active during this period. The primary evidence for this period of the relationship is also more abundant than for the latter period of their friendship, the years 1925 to 1963. Why should their relationship be deemed as special? This dissertation will suggest different reasons for this historical debate. Having been the first to 1 Joe Broderick, “De Valera and Archbishop Daniel Mannix”. History Ireland. 2 (3)1994, p. 37. 1 acknowledge a special relationship, Broderick’s work will be built on in detail.