Éamon de Valera Interview, Ireland, 1962

President Éamon de Valera on the occasion of his 80th birthday reflects on his life.
President Éamon de Valera reflects on his earliest memories, his school in Bruree, the Gaelic League, the Irish language, meeting his wife, the struggle for independence, his happiest moments, the importance of 1916, and his hopes for Ireland’s future.
From his presidential home at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, President Éamon de Valera, who is celebrating his 80th birthday talks to Pádraig Ó Raghallaigh about his life and work.
Born in New York on 14 October 1882, he was to Bruree in Limerick in 1885 where he was brought up by his grandmother. President de Valera reflects on his earliest memory of arriving in Queenstown on a boat from New York. He also remembers his school days in Bruree describing himself as an average student. After leaving Bruree he attended the Christian Brothers school in Charleville (Ráth Luirc). He later attended Blackrock College in Dublin where he realised he had an aptitude for mathematics.
In 1907, de Valera joined the Gaelic League where he realised his appreciation for what nationalism meant and what needed to be done so that the country could achieve sovereignty. At that time, the Gaelic League was the main spring of the national movement. He was now in the company of men live Pádraig Pearse , Thomas McDonagh, Éamonn Ceannt, Seán Mac Diarmada and Joseph Mary Plunkett who were all campaigning for freedom for the country. This provided de Valera with a special insight into Irish history and the Irish language. As President, he continues to advocate for greater use of the Irish language.
Around 1908, he attended the Leinster College of Irish where he was taught by Sinéad (born Jane O’Flanagan) who would later become his wife. In 1913, de Valera joined the Irish Volunteers and went on to become one of the leaders in the 1916 Rising. Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, de Valera led the Anti-Treaty Sinn Féin until 1926. He describes this period of Irish history as “extraordinary” as the small nation of Ireland was changing.
There were dark years and glorious years too.
De Valera says that one the happiest moments of his life include winning the scholarship to attend Blackrock College, his marriage to Sinéad, winning the 1918 elections, and being elected President of Sinn Féin in 1919. For de Valera, the decision for men to come out and fight in 1916 was one of the most historic moments in Ireland during his lifetime.
His hopes for the future of Ireland is that the people continue to be true to themselves while acknowledging a great past
President De Valera At 80 was broadcast on 14 October 1962. The reporter is Pádraig Ó Raghallaigh.