A number of weeks ago I was asked to review the following book, Saving the State: Fine Gael from Collins to Varadkar, which is on sale today from @Gill_Books. The review is up on the Irish Story website. However, a short(ish) thread on my thoughts on the book.

When news of the book was announced on twitter by one of the book’s co-authors a few weeks ago, a pile on ensued with who had somehow read and formed an opinion on a book which had yet to be released eager to give the author their damning verdict.

The title of the book appeared to rankle with some twitter users. At first glance they could perhaps be forgiven for interpreting the title as one which accompanies a history officially endorsed by the party.

It isn't title is reflective of the deeply held views of party leaders throughout the decades, who genuinely believed that they stood between society and anarchy, as demonstrated throughout the book. Whether or not the authors share this belief is up to the reader to decide.

Intro tackles the Collins issue head on. Authors point out that his demise before either party was formed matters little to the Fine Gael faithful. It is argued that most party members tend to accept without question that had he lived, Collins would have become a Fine Gael member

Intro sets out the need to address the ‘problematic reality’ of Fine Gael’s 1933 founding, specifically the elements which made up the new whole, meaning the officially airbrushed Eoin O’Duffy.

Truthfully, there could be no other credible way to tackle the history of this party without addressing it. W. T. Cosgrave is the focus of the first chapter, one of the links between the revolution, Collins, and the more established years of the party.

Cosgrave is unambiguously portrayed as the leader of a party who stood for law and order. Indeed, ‘law and order’ is a theme emphasised throughout the chapter and beyond.

The Irish Civil War, almost 100 years on still casts a shadow, and one feels that the book pronounces many judgments on the republican campaign in that brief conflict. Descriptions the ‘notorious reprisal’ of Ballyseedy on the Free State side are relayed.

However, the kidnap and murder of Noel Lemass is referenced in a single line, despite its brutality and its impact upon those in power. Indeed, according to Seán Kennedy, the murder was a ‘serious enough blow to Cumann na nGaedheal’s self-image as the law and order party’.

Chapter 2 focuses on O'Duffy and the Blueshirt movement. This was always going to be one of the more important and interesting aspects of such a study, and as the authors note in Fine Gael circles any mention of the party’s first president ‘is studiously avoided’.

The chapter is a well-balanced assessment of this most controversial figure. Explores his organisational abilities and his importance in GAA circles in Ulster, showing how his long road to the first presidency of Fine Gael and, ultimately, his de-evolution into fascism played out

An interesting theme which weaves right through the heart of the book is the Fine Gael’s commitment to the international community. Something which current leading figures Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar have repeatedly emphasised during the years-long Brexit debacle.

This is addressed early on with the example of Cosgrave addressing the League of Nations in 1923. It also highlights John A. Costello’s international involvement with Imperial Conferences and the League of Nations. As well as Garret Fitzgerald's time as Foreign Affairs Minister.

Passages on Costello’s Inter-Party Governments focus on an area which has received far less attention than it deserves. The hugely important statement by Costello in Canada in September 1948 on withdrawal from the Commonwealth to become a Republic

is framed as finally settling the question of Ireland’s constitutional status. However, this would all depend which side of the dividing line one lived under. Authors acknowledge impact this had on relations with NI.

implosion of the second Inter-Party Government caused by economic issues as well as the IRA’s border campaign, (ultimately triggered by the withdrawing of Clan na Poblachta’s support for the government) is clearly laid out.

Political continuity of the constitutional kind is yet another important theme which weaves its way throughout the book. The Cumann na nGaedheal/Fine Gael continuity is crucial to the story. However, there are attempts to draw this line back to the old Irish Parliamentary Party

and steadfastness to constitutional nationalism, an ideology which supposedly set the party apart from the origins of their old rivals in Fianna Fáil.

While there are undoubtedly pronounced links with the constitutional branch of nationalist politics, the party has its main roots in physical force nationalism, with many of the party’s founder members being ‘men of action’ in the revolutionary period.

This is not a criticism of the book, however, it is more a comment on the disconnect in modern Irish political discourse which condemns more recent political violence while lauding figures who themselves were involved in extreme acts of political violence in the more distant past

Passages on Liam Cosgrave's time in power deal with impact of troubles among other issues. Dublin Monaghan bombings and murder of Billy Fox. These passages could have been enhanced with background on Fox's engagement in Bogside 69 and criticisms of British Army.

Garret Fitzgerald is explored in-depth, showing a dogged ambition and, indeed political ruthlessness from his earliest days within the party. Anglo-Irish Agreement of 85 is briefly mentioned. Fitzgerald chapter is very interesting, though. Shows impact he had on party.

John Bruton, engagement with Northern Peace Process is interesting and shows someone trying to rebuild the party.

Modern era, chapters on Enda Kenny are fast-paced, reflecting the chaos of the time with the crash and political turmoil. I feel the first chapter dealing with Kenny is too close to the subject in parts. Collapse of Fianna Fáil and rise of the current generation interesting.

'End of Civil War Politics'? Chapter could be a book in its own right. The pace of life with political developments and Covid are shown here. Interesting chapter. End of Civil War politics, though? Don't bet on it.

Despite any misgivings over the title, it is certainly not the puff-piece in favour of Fine Gael that sections of the online community had pegged it to be. There are rare occasions, however when one could interpret the book as pulling for certain party figures.

Regardless of those perceptions, the authors are not reluctant to criticise either individual actions or policy decisions. It is a tremendously well written book. At 418 pages it flows extremely well and is very accessible, even to the uninitiated.

Overall, this is an interesting and engaging look at the history of one of the major parties within the Irish state. Given the public interest around the Decade of Centenaries this book, which in many ways examines the political legacy of that period, should do very well. (END)