Eamon Duggan

New Publication coming from Meath County Council

Available on 7th December, the centenary of the Treaty, from Antonia’s bookshop in Trim https://antoniasbookstore.com/ and all branches of Meath County Council Library Service.

——————————————————

Longwood-native Eamon Duggan, with Robert Barton, made the final arrangements for the truce.

Appointed chief Irish liaison officer, he accompanied Éamon de Valera to London, where they met with Lloyd George in July 1921.

As a of the member of the treaty delegation his role largely involved liaison with the various British officials, particularly Cope and Tom Jones. When the treaty delegation split, Duggan invariably supported the line taken by Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith, and it was his emotional appeal to Barton that persuaded the latter to sign.

Duggan’s belief was that if freedom were not achieved under these terms, it would be the fault of the Irish people, not the treaty.

Duggan served as TD for Louth–Meath (1921–3) and for Meath (1923–33), and minister for home affairs (January–September 1922); he has been seen as the ‘weakest link’ in the provisional government. He later served as minister without portfolio (September 1922–March 1923), and as parliamentary secretary to the executive council (1924–6), to the minister for finance (1926–7), and to the president of the executive council and to the minister for defence (1927–32).Historian Peter Connell, author of ‘The Land and People of County Meath 1750-1850’, looks at the life and the political legacy of Eamon Duggan which has, to date, largely gone unexamined.

In addition to archival material from The British National Archives, Cartlannna hÉireann, The Military Archives and Leabharlann na hÉireann, the volume also includes photographs from the extended Duggan family.