1922 General Election was a resounding endorsement of the Anglo-Irish Treaty – Phelan

The 1922 General Election was a resounding endorsement of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy John Paul Phelan, Chair of the Fine Gael 1922-2022 Commemorations Committee, was speaking ahead of a Fine Gael event to commemorate the 1922 General Election, taking place on Saturday 18^th June at 1pm in the Seamus Heaney Room DCU, St Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra. The venue has significance as one of the Dublin Counts of 1922 took place on what is now the DCU Campus.

The Carlow-Kilkenny TD said, “The 1922 General Election has a significant place in Irish history, serving to effectively ratify the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

“Both Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith died in August 1922. The two men, who were succeeded by W.T. Cosgrave, played an instrumental role in Ireland’s history, having fought in the War of Independence. Given that they were signatories on the Anglo Irish Treaty, which led to the foundation of the Irish Free State, Fine Gael want to honour and acknowledge their contribution to our history.

“With over 70% of people voting for pro-Treaty candidates, the result of the election was an overwhelming affirmation of the direction in which these politicians wanted to take the country. This election was a resounding endorsement of the Treaty at the ballot box, in the format of a General Election.”

Historians Dr Patrick Geoghegan, Professor Michael Laffan, and Dr Leeann Lane will join An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Councillor Emma Blain, to discuss the 1922 General Election, the lead up to it, the results, and the consequences.

Registration for the event is available here: https://www.finegael.ie/1922-election-centenary-event/