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De Valera #2
De Valera: Rule: 1932–1975
In this, the concluding volume of David McCullagh's monumental new life of the revolutionary and statesman, we join De Valera in 1932 as he takes the reins of power in the first Fianna Fáil government, and follow him as he confronts one challenge after another – the Economic War, the drafting of Bunreacht na hÉireann, the Emergency, the North, the declaration of the Republic, economic stagnation in the 1950s – and sets about gradually remaking a sovereign Ireland in his own image.Beautifully written and deeply researched, McCullagh's De Valera is a provocative and nuanced portrait of Ireland's most enigmatic leader, as well as a balanced assessment of his role in shaping our national self-image.
794 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
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About the author
David McCullagh
7 books9 followersDavid McCullagh began working as a journalist with the Evening Press before joining RTE, where he currently presents the broadcaster’s flagship current affairs programme, Primetime.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 30, 2025
Jack Lynch (Kilkenny) put it best when he said:
"The Michael Collins movie is the worst thing to ever happen to this country - famine included."
"The Michael Collins movie is the worst thing to ever happen to this country - famine included."
September 18, 2024
I quite enjoyed this biography. I think I likely enjoyed this second volume a bit more than the first because it dealt with events that I already had more familiarity with, while the first volume dealt heavily in internal Irish affairs with a cast of characters that I don’t recognize as easily an Irish reader likely would.
Through out this volume we see de Valera form the Fianna Fail party, which comes to power after the civil war and continues on as the strongest party in Ireland for the rest of de Valera’s life, serving as its leader for decades, with him acting as the Taoiseach (head of Irish government) or as the head of the opposition, and then becoming President of Ireland for two terms afterwards. He helps draft the constitution of an independent Ireland, assert Irish independence in the face of Britain, as well as steer Ireland through WW2. I found the insight into what it meant practically to be a neutral country during a war to be very interesting and far more complex than I had previously assumed.
Learned a lot.
Through out this volume we see de Valera form the Fianna Fail party, which comes to power after the civil war and continues on as the strongest party in Ireland for the rest of de Valera’s life, serving as its leader for decades, with him acting as the Taoiseach (head of Irish government) or as the head of the opposition, and then becoming President of Ireland for two terms afterwards. He helps draft the constitution of an independent Ireland, assert Irish independence in the face of Britain, as well as steer Ireland through WW2. I found the insight into what it meant practically to be a neutral country during a war to be very interesting and far more complex than I had previously assumed.
Learned a lot.
May 20, 2021
The dust jacket of this book has a sound bite by Maurice Manning, which says: “This biography will not be bettered”. Believe it.
If you’ve read Volume 1, and find yourself wondering if you’re up for the challenge of reading Volume 2 - press on and read it. This volume has more meat on the bones than Volume 1 and McCullagh covers the key items of 1932-1975 in a detailed yet gripping way. I found it very enjoyable.
McCullagh’s writing is impartial throughout, is impeccably researched (just look at the bibliography) and he leaves you there to make up your own mind about DeValera, whatever your politics. I still think he was a bollix, probably that’s just what we needed at the time. Besides, he was a politician after all.
If you’ve read Volume 1, and find yourself wondering if you’re up for the challenge of reading Volume 2 - press on and read it. This volume has more meat on the bones than Volume 1 and McCullagh covers the key items of 1932-1975 in a detailed yet gripping way. I found it very enjoyable.
McCullagh’s writing is impartial throughout, is impeccably researched (just look at the bibliography) and he leaves you there to make up your own mind about DeValera, whatever your politics. I still think he was a bollix, probably that’s just what we needed at the time. Besides, he was a politician after all.
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February 23, 2021A great insight into the latter life and legacy of De Valera...
January 30, 2025
Both books are very comprehensive and capture the life and times of a divisive man in great detail. His impact on Ireland for good and bad still exists today.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews