Cumann na nGaedheal

political party, Ireland

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July 16, 2026

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Cumann na nGaedheal was an Irish political party founded in April 1923 by William Thomas Cosgrave. This party was formed by supporters of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty and aimed to establish stable democratic government in Ireland following the civil war. Cumann na nGaedheal was the dominant party in the Irish Free State from 1923 until 1932, with Cosgrave serving as its leader and the first president of the Executive Council. In 1933, Cumann na nGaedheal merged with two smaller parties to form Fine Gael, which became a major political force in Ireland.12

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William Thomas Cosgrave
…helped found the political party Cumann na nGaedheal (“Party of the Irish”) in April 1923 and became its leader—represented Ireland at the Imperial Conference in October 1923. A month earlier he had been welcomed as Ireland’s first spokesman at the assembly of the League of Nations.
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…helped found the political party Cumann na nGaedheal (“Party of the Irish”) in April 1923 and became its leader—represented Ireland at the Imperial Conference in October 1923. A month earlier he had been welcomed as Ireland’s first spokesman at the assembly of the League of Nations.
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Fine Gael
History
…1933 in the amalgamation of Cumann na nGaedheal (“Party of the Irish”)—the party of William Thomas Cosgrave, first president of the Irish Free State—and two lesser parties, the Centre Party (formerly the Farmers’ Party) and the National Guard (formerly the Army Comrades Association), also known as the “Blueshirts.” Cumann na…
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…1933 in the amalgamation of Cumann na nGaedheal (“Party of the Irish”)—the party of William Thomas Cosgrave, first president of the Irish Free State—and two lesser parties, the Centre Party (formerly the Farmers’ Party) and the National Guard (formerly the Army Comrades Association), also known as the “Blueshirts.” Cumann na…
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Sinn Féin
History
…with Arthur Griffith, leader of Cumann na nGaedheal (“Party of the Irish”). At a meeting in Dublin in October 1902, Cumann na nGaedheal formally adopted Griffith’s policy of “Sinn Féin,” which included passive resistance to the British, withholding of taxes, and the establishment of an Irish ruling council and independent…
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…with Arthur Griffith, leader of Cumann na nGaedheal (“Party of the Irish”). At a meeting in Dublin in October 1902, Cumann na nGaedheal formally adopted Griffith’s policy of “Sinn Féin,” which included passive resistance to the British, withholding of taxes, and the establishment of an Irish ruling council and independent…
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