On 10 July 1917 Eamon de Valera won a by-election in East Clare, one of a series of victories for Sinn Féin in the run-up to their landslide victory in the general election of December 1918. He would continue to represent the county in the Dáil until his election to the presidency in 1959. What was his relationship with the ‘Banner County’ in the early tumultuous years of his career—War of Independence, Treaty negotiations, Civil War—up to the founding of Fianna Fáil in 1926? To discuss this and related questions, join History Ireland editor Tommy Graham in discussion with Tomás Mac Conmara, Martin Mansergh, Padraig Óg Ó Ruairc and Joe Power.

The Hedge School series of podcasts is produced by History Ireland and the Wordwell Group. For more information or to subscribe, visit historyireland.com

This Hedge School is supported by Clare County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries Programme.

Image: Eamon de Valera, in Irish Volunteer uniform, on the steps of Ennis Court House in July 1917, campaigning in the East Clare by-election. (NLI)