TG4 series to look at de Valera's wilderness years
Betrayal of women who helped him is highlighted in cutting-edge documentary
TG4 is to screen 'De Valera san Fhásach', a new cutting-edge historical documentary series that presents the vital story of de Valera’s Wilderness years from 1924 to 1926 when he was imprisoned, in poor mental health and stripped of his political power.
It’s the story of the radical, revolutionary women activists who supported him during this difficult time. These women had been involved in the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence. Among them were Countess Markiewicz who fought in 1916, Mary MacSwiney, sister of Terence MacSwiney who died on hunger strike in 1919 and Kathleen Clarke, wife of the executed 1916 leader, Tom Clarke.
Then the Anglo-Irish Treaty happened. As suddenly as he had gained power, de Valera was locked out of it. Opposing the Treaty gave these women common ground with de Valera, but who would end up the losers in this political game?
De Valera san Fhásach looks at the part these women played in helping de Valera create one of the most spectacular political u-turns in history – the birth of Fianna Fáil, the party which went on to dominate Irish politics for the next 100 years.
We watch how de Valera’s political rebirth unfolds in this incredible story of power and demise. In stark contrast to de Valera’s rising star, we witness the last great swansong of many of the radical women who had been so active in politics and had supported him right up to the foundation of Fianna Fáil and beyond.
De Valera san Fhásach reveals the ultimate betrayal of these women by de Valera and his new party, how they were silenced and pushed out of public life, simply relegated to the home. The women find themselves in an Ireland, far removed from the vision of equality as laid out in the 1916 proclamation.
Through the poignant stories of these women and of de Valera during his wilderness years, this documentary also takes a sensitive look at the legacy of trauma and the mental health impact of the Irish Revolution. This is cutting edge history that applies new thinking and takes a totally new angle on this formative time in Irish history.
De Valera San Fhásach is a gripping, dramatic story about this key pivotal period in Irish history, a period that, arguably, subsequently changed the entire course of Irish history.
Director of De Valera san Fhásach Ciara Hyland stated that "while much attention hasn't been paid to De Valera's Wilderness Years, they are really pivotal in creating the Ireland we still have today. These were the years where anything could have happened and it could have gone any which way. Instead de Valera staged one of the biggest political comebacks ever and regained power. Unfortunately his rise meant the last swansong of an entire generation of revolutionary women who had been fighting for equality and we have lived with that legacy ever since".
Contributors in the documentary include Anne Twomey, Brian Hughes, Caoimhe nic Dháibhéid, David McCullagh, Fearghal Mac Bhloscaidh, Gabriel Doherty, Leeann Lane, Lindsey Earner-Byrne, Mary Harris, Mary MacDiarmada, Niall Murray, Síobhra Aiken, Tadhg Ó Súilleabháin, Tomás MacConmara and Úna ní Bhroméil.
De Valera san Fhásach was directed by Ciara Hyland of Wonder Pics for TG4 and funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence fee.
Ciara previously directed the highly successful ‘Croíthe Radacacha’, ‘Forgotten: Widows of the Irish Revolution’ and ‘De Valera I Meiriceá’.
'De Valera san Fhásach' TG4 & TG4.ie
Wednesday 22nd and 29th January, 9.30pm