Description: Later the President of the Irish Republic, de Valera was formerly a member of Sinn Fein and the IRA. The file paints an interesting and sometimes vivid picture of an extraordinary personality and career. It is mainly derived from press articles but there is some analysis and extracts from contemporary intelligence summaries. Of particular interest are items covering de Valera's dramatic escape from prison in 1919; his subsequent visit to the United States and his reception there; his notes on military matters such as methods of communications and the organisation of the Irish army; and his address to the Irish nation.
