The Taoiseach said Ireland can draw inspiration from Cumann na nGaedheal amid recent challenges.
Historians and members of Fine Gael celebrated the centenary of Cumann na nGaedheal in Dublin City University this afternoon.
The political party formed the Government from 1923 to 1932, and later merged with other parties to form Fine Gael.
Addressing attendees, Taoiseach and Fine Gael President Leo Varadkar said Cumann na nGaedheal passed on a “remarkable legacy” to Fine Gael.
“In Government, it stabilised our country in the darkest of times, creating the foundations of our State today,” he said.
Democratic ideals
He said Ireland can thanks Cumann na nGaedheal for the creation of An Garda Síochána, the Courts system and citizen welfare.
“We went from being the least electrified country in Europe to being the first with a National Grid,” Mr Varadkar said. “A project which seemed like an impossible dream became a reality thanks to the leadership and ambition of Cumann na nGaedheal.”
“Cumann na nGaedheal’s last achievement was in proving to itself and to the world that Ireland was a real democracy, committed to democratic ideals at home and abroad.”
Mr Varadkar said Cumann na nGaedheal was democratic enough to respect their loss against Fianna Fáil in the 1932 general election.
“In other parts of the world in the 1930s, such a scenario was often an excuse to ignore the Constitution and find reasons to put political self-interest ahead of democratic principles. Not Cumann na nGaedheal,” he said.
Fine Gael
Cumann na nGaedheal merged with other parties following this election to form Fine Gael – and Mr Varadkar said the party have been inspired by their predecessor.
“Over the past ninety years, we have faced great challenges as a country, with some today as great as any in the past,” he said. “But we approach them with the same philosophy as the men and women of Cumann na nGaedheal.”
“Providing stability, developing ambitious policies for the good of the country, engaging with the rest of the world with confidence, and protecting and promoting the democratic ideal.”
