National University of Ireland, Maynooth Ollscoil na hÉireann, Má Nuad Ireland and Spain, 1939-55: Cultural, Economic and Political Relations from Neutrality in the Second World War to Joint Membership of the United Nations By Barry Whelan, B.A., M.A. Thesis for the Degree of Ph.D Department of History National University of Ireland, Maynooth Head of Department: Prof Marian Lyons Supervisor of Research: Dr Filipe de Meneses January 2012 Content Content i Summary iii Acknowledgements iv Abbreviations v Introduction 1 Chapter 1: 20 Ontiveros’s Diplomatic Mission to Ireland, May 1939-June 1945 Chapter 2: 79 The Frank Ryan Case Chapter 3: 97 Kerney’s Diplomatic Mission to Spain, January 1939-August 1942 Chapter 4: 151 Kerney’s Diplomatic Mission to Spain, September 1942-May 1945 Chapter 5: 194 Spanish Diplomatic Reports from Ireland in the Post-War Period, 1945-55 Chapter 6: 244 Irish Diplomatic Reports from Spain in the Post-War Period, 1945-55 i Conclusion 285 Bibliography 294 ii Summary The principal objective of this thesis is to investigate and understand the relationship between Ireland and Spain from 1939 to 1955 by researching the cultural, economic and political ties that existed between both nations. The research is based on primary sources examined in the diplomatic archives of Dublin and Madrid as well as original documents analysed through unrestricted access to private archives. The main body of files investigated centre on the reports of diplomats that reveal the nature of this relationship, which was in the main harmonious, despite the momentous internal and external challenges that confronted both countries during that period. The findings expose the perceptions held by the leading politicians towards this affiliation and why it was considered important to maintain. The results also show that ultimately the relationship proved ephemeral because it was based on antediluvian and archaic values that were incompatible with the prevailing course of history. By juxtaposing Ireland and Spain between the start of the Second World War and the admission of both nations into the United Nations in 1955, a major gap in historical research is explored that substantially assists the knowledge of this bilateral relationship. Furthermore, the research lifts a veil on the socio-economic and socio-political environments of both countries in a way that contributes to the historiographical appraisal of the period. iii Acknowledgments There are a number of people to whom I owe a particular debt of gratitude. I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to my thesis supervisor, Dr Filipe de Meneses of the Department of History Maynooth, for his scholarly guidance and unflinching generosity. I would like to thank Professor Vincent Comerford, Professor Marian Lyons, Dr Ann Matthews and Ms Ann Donoghue for their invaluable assistance. I am indebted to Mr Eamon Kerney for allowing me to interview him and to research the private papers of his father, Leopold Kerney. The help of the archival staff of the National Archives of Ireland and the Archivo del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores has been most appreciated. I would like to acknowledge the important contributions of Brendan Byrne, Jackie Brennan, Malachy Buckeridge, Mel Farrell, Sam Sinclair and Stephen Walsh. My parents, Ann and James Whelan, have been a constant source of support and encouragement throughout the research. Finally, I would like to thank Lauren for always bringing out the best in me. iv Abbreviations A.G.A. Archivo General de la Administración A.M.A.E. Archivo del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores B.N.E. Biblioteca Nacional de España B.O.E. Boletín Oficial del Estado C.P.I.A. Communist Party of Ireland Archive D.D.A. Dublin Diocesan Archive D.F.A. Department of Foreign Affairs D.T. Department of the Taoiseach F.N.F.F. Fundación Nacional Francisco Franco G.A.A. Gaelic Athletic Association I.R.A. Irish Republican Army I.R.C.S. Irish Red Cross Society L.K.P.A. Leopold Kerney Private Archive N.A.I. National Archives of Ireland NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation N.L.I. National Library of Ireland N.U.I. National University of Ireland O.E.E.C. Organisation for European Economic Co-operation P.S.O.E. Partido Socialista de Obreros Españoles R.D.S. Royal Dublin Society S.R.C.S. Spanish Red Cross Society T.C.D. Trinity College Dublin U.C.C. University College Cork U.C.D. University College Dublin U.C.D.A. University College Dublin Archive U.N. United Nations v Introduction Diplomacy is Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting international negotiations. The investigation of the important role played by professional diplomats has been instrumental in furthering our knowledge of historic time periods and relations between States. Historians have always attached considerable importance to diplomacy as a recognised branch, and resource, of history. This thesis focuses on Irish-Spanish relations from 1939-55; it therefore traces the nature of that relationship, considering the links, common values and shared experiences that held it together as well as its successes and failures. It also sheds new light on the vision, purpose and principles that underpinned their respective foreign policies as well as the place they envisaged for their nations in an international context. The essence of this story is found in the diplomacy of the period and it is brought to life as a result of exhaustive research undertaken in the diplomatic files of both nations which provide the thesis with a healthy balance and full panorama of how that historic relationship evolved throughout the period. For the first time the definitive story of Irish-Spanish relations during the most critical periods of the twentieth century can now be told. Probing investigations reveal the interesting parallels and joint participations between both nations during the Second World War, as the conflict ebbed and flowed, and during the Cold War, as tensions in the post-war period intensified. The thesis is also uniquely identifiable for the personalisation it brings to foreign policy which hitherto has been neglected and often omitted from the historical landscape. The investigative documentation of the invaluable contribution made by diplomats from both sides, the eyes and ears of Irish and Spanish policymakers, finally accords them the recognition they deserve as the foot soldiers of foreign policy. In 1986 the Government introduced legislation known as the National Archives Act which established the National Archives. For the first time the public was statutorily entitled to examine the records of several State bodies, and for the purposes of diplomacy, the files of the Department of External (later Foreign) Affairs. This significant development gave rise to an astonishing wealth of political, 1 historical and literature works that has continued to rise steadily in the succeeding years. Hitherto, only a handful of notable academics had published material on Irish foreign policy. In 1953 Thomas Desmond Williams, Professor of Modern History in University College Dublin (UCD), published several articles on Irish neutrality during the Second World War in the Leader.1 In 1969 a publication by David Harkness2 chartered the turbulent course of Irish independence from the British Commonwealth since the establishment of the Irish Free State on 6 December 1922. During the 1970s Patrick Keatinge furthered our knowledge of Irish foreign policy in two books that focused, amongst other issues, on the policymakers who chartered Ireland’s path to inclusion in the international community.3 As a result of the pioneering work undertaken by these distinguished figures, a new generation of scholars, some who studied under Professor Williams in particular, became interested in researching Irish foreign policy. Without access to the diplomatic files of the Department of External Affairs they were forced to study abroad in the archives of London, Rome and Washington D.C. Their collective body of work produced several essential articles and accounts on Irish diplomacy in the twentieth century. Dermot Keogh’s major book on the relationship between the Irish Government and the Vatican, its most important overseas mission, brought new insight and important evidence that challenged many old ideas and perceptions on this relationship.4 Keogh followed up on this success with a substantial account on the establishment of External Affairs, its raison d’être and the enthusiastic public servants who joined the department hoping to enhance the cause of Ireland abroad.5 With the opening of the National Archives Keogh was finally able to examine some of the most contentious events in Irish foreign policy, most notably, the visit of An Taoiseach Éamon de Valera to the German Legation to offer his condolences on the death of Adolf Hitler.6 1 From 1958-73 Williams was joint editor of Irish Historical Studies. 2 David Harkness, The restless dominion: the Irish Free State and the British Commonwealth (London, 1969). 3 See Patrick Keatinge, The formulation of Irish foreign policy (Dublin, 1973) and A place among the nations: issue of Irish foreign policy (Dublin, 1978). 4 Dermot Keogh, The Vatican, the bishops and Irish politics, 1919-39 (New York, 1986). 5 _____, Ireland and Europe, 1919-1948 (Dublin, 1988). 6 _____, ‘Éamon de Valera and Hitler: an analysis of international reaction to the visit to the German Minister, May 1945’ in Irish Studies in International Affairs, iii (1989), pp 69-92. 2 Ronan Fanning, another member of that emerging “new generation” of researchers and protégé of Professor Williams as an undergraduate in UCD, wrote a highly critical overview of the Department of Finance.7 His analysis of the department, especially its economic policy during the Emergency years, 1939-45, helped explain why Irish missions overseas were so severely understaffed and the budget allocated to External Affairs was so paltry.