President of Dáil Éireann facts for kids

The President of Dáil Éireann was the main leader of the Irish Republic between 1919 and 1922. This was a time when Ireland was fighting for its independence from Britain. The Dáil Éireann was the parliament of this new Irish Republic.

The job of President of Dáil Éireann was created in January 1919. The Dáil (parliament) elected the President. This person then chose a group of ministers, like a cabinet, to help run the country. Even though Britain still saw Ireland as part of the United Kingdom, the Irish Republic had declared itself independent.

After the Anglo-Irish Treaty was agreed upon, the Irish Free State was formed on December 6, 1922. This new state was recognized by Britain. The role of President of Dáil Éireann ended then. It was replaced by the President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State.

Understanding the Title

The official Irish name for the leader was príomh aire. This means 'prime minister' in English. People also called the leader 'President of the Ministry'. The name 'President of Dáil Éireann' was also used a lot, even though it wasn't in the official rules.

Éamon de Valera, a key Irish leader, liked to use the title 'President of Dáil Éireann'. When he visited the United States, he called himself "President de Valera". This made it seem like he was the head of the country, not just the head of the government.

The Dáil's original rules didn't clearly say who was the 'head of state' (the official leader of the country). The titles used at first suggested the person was only the 'head of government' (the leader of the ruling group).

In August 1921, de Valera asked the Dáil to change the rules. He wanted his job to be officially recognized as head of state. This would make him equal to King George V of Britain during important talks. The Dáil agreed to a new rule that called the leader "the President who shall also be Prime Minister". After this, de Valera was elected as "President of the Republic".

What the President Did

The President of Dáil Éireann had important powers. They could choose the other ministers in the government. The Dáil (parliament) then had to approve these choices. The President could also remove ministers from their jobs at any time.

If the President resigned, the whole group of ministers would also automatically lose their jobs. The President and all ministers had to be members of the Dáil. The Dáil could also vote to remove the President or any minister from office.

In April 1919, a new rule was added. It allowed the President to choose a 'president-substitute' or 'deputy president'. This person would take over the President's duties if the President was unable to do them for a short time.

A Brief History of the Role

When the First Dáil met in 1919, Éamon de Valera was the leader of Sinn Féin. He was the natural choice for President. But he was in prison in England. So, Cathal Brugha was chosen as the first príomh aire for a short time on January 22.

De Valera escaped prison in February. He was then elected President on April 1, replacing Brugha. As President, de Valera visited the United States from June 1919 to December 1920. He wanted to get support and money for the Irish Republic and the War of Independence. He asked Arthur Griffith to be his Deputy President while he was away.

De Valera returned to Ireland in January 1921. He had gained public support for the Republic and raised a lot of money.

After the Second Dáil was elected in 1921, de Valera resigned on August 26. He was immediately re-elected, now using the title "President of the Republic". He stayed in this role until January 1922. This was after the Dáil voted to approve the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

De Valera was against the Treaty and resigned as President. He tried to be re-elected but the Dáil chose Arthur Griffith instead on January 10. Griffith supported the Treaty. He was elected under the older title of President of Dáil Éireann.

In 1922, two Irish governments were working at the same time. The British government set up a 'provisional government' to prepare for the new Irish Free State. This government was led by Michael Collins. The Dáil government, led by Arthur Griffith, continued to operate.

This unusual situation lasted until August 1922. Both Griffith and Collins died suddenly that month. Collins was killed by anti-Treaty fighters, and Griffith died from natural causes. W. T. Cosgrave then became the leader of the provisional government on August 25. He was also elected President of Dáil Éireann on September 9.

On December 6, 1922, the Irish Free State was officially created. It became an independent country. The Irish Republic and the provisional government both ended. The new Constitution of the Irish Free State came into effect. The Irish Free State had the King of England as its head of state. The Governor-General of the Irish Free State represented the King. The President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State was the head of government. W.T. Cosgrave became the first President of the Executive Council.

List of Office-Holders

No.	Image	Name	Title used	Party		Entered Office	Left Office	Dáil
1		Cathal Brugha	President of Dáil Éireann / Príomh Aire		Sinn Féin	22 January 1919	1 April 1919	First Dáil
2		Éamon de Valera	President of Dáil Éireann / Príomh Aire		Sinn Féin	1 April 1919	26 August 1921
–		Éamon de Valera	President of the Republic		Sinn Féin	26 August 1921	9 January 1922	Second Dáil
3		Arthur Griffith	President of Dáil Éireann / Príomh Aire		Sinn Féin (pro-Treaty faction)	10 January 1922	12 August 1922
4		W. T. Cosgrave	President of Dáil Éireann / Príomh Aire		Sinn Féin (pro-Treaty faction)	9 September 1922	6 December 1922	Third Dáil

See also

• Irish heads of government since 1919