Éamon de Valera

Éamon de Valera has a complex legacy. He is one of Ireland’s greatest statesmen, and his long political career defined Ireland’s politics following independence. As a participant in the Easter Rising and President of Dáil Éireann during the Anglo-Irish War, his dedication to Irish independence cannot be questioned. However, his role in the Irish Civil War is controversial, and his reputation has suffered over time in comparison to his Civil War rival Michael Collins. His economic policies held Ireland back, while Ireland’s neutrality during World War II damaged the country’s reputation on the global stage.