The First Dáil Flashcards
Where and when did the new government form?
The Mansion House, Dublin on Dawson Street on the 21st of January, 1919
What did they name the new government?
Dáil Éireann (‘meeting of Ireland’)
How many TD’s were there at the first meeting?
27
Why were there few TD’s there?
Most were in jail or attended Westminster instead
Who was the first Taoiseach?
Cathal Brugha
What did they do at the first meeting?
Issue a Declaration of Independence saying they’d establish ‘an Irish Republic and pledge ourselves and our people to make this declaration effective by every means at our command’
What happened at the April meeting?
More TD’s were present since they were released from jail or escaped so they elected new ministers
Who were some ministers?
De Valera was the Taoiseach, Arthur Griffith was the Minister for Home Affairs and Michael Collins was the Minister for Finance
What changes did Sinn Féin make?
They gained control of local government, founded courts and organised loans to help run the Dáil
Where did Sinn Féin get the loans from?
Michael Collins raised £300,000 and De Valera raised nearly $5 million from Irish emigrants
What did the British government declare the Dáil in 1920?
Illegal
What is the Government of Ireland Act 1920?
There would be Home Rule parliament in Ulster and one for the rest of Ireland, to keep Unionists and nationalists happy
How did Sinn Féin react to this Act?
The rejected it and demanded full independence
