Wading through blood: de Valera’s 1922 and the coming of the Civil War
David McCullagh
Portlaoise Library, Saturday 28th May, 4pm
To book email portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie or call 0578622333
As part of the Decade of Centenaries Programme Laois Libraries presents a talk by Dr David McCullagh on Éamon de Valera and the events of 1922. Éamon de Valera began 1922 as President of the Republic, the undisputed leader of Irish nationalism. He ended the year in hiding and in real danger of execution if caught by the Government of the Irish Free State. How did he endure such a fall from grace? And how much responsibility did he bear for the Civil War which ripped Ireland apart in 1922? David McCullagh traces the dramatic events of a year which would define de Valera’s career.
David McCullagh is a journalist and presenter with RTÉ, where he presents the Six One News. He previously presented current affairs television programme Prime Time from 2013 to 2020 and was Political Correspondent with RTÉ News and Current Affairs. David has published several books on Irish history including a recent two-volume biography of Éamon de Valera, Volume 1: Rise, 1882–1932 and Volume 2: Rule, 1932–1975 .
