Defending rural interests against Nationalists in 20th-century Ireland: a tale of three movements

Varley, Tony; Curtin, Chris

essay

Defending rural interests against Nationalists in 20th-century Ireland: a tale of three movements

rural change in ireland • Belfast • Published In 1999 • Pages: 58-83

By: Varley, Tony, Curtin, Chris.

Abstract
This article focuses on the history of three twentieth-century rural movements organized in response to the decline of the rural farming economy and the failure of national leaders to adequately respond. Muintir na Tíre began in the 1930s as a parish-based renewal movement, organized along the same principles as the Catholic Social Movement, and tried to build alliances across classes while staying clear of the state and party politics. It built its own organization of parish guilds and councils, promoting self-help activities and organizing leisure time activities. It was eventually taken over by local propertied and professional class. The National Agrarian Party (Clann na Talmhan) organized western farmers against the urban-based nationalist political establishment that was blamed for the 1930s decline in agriculture. It failed in its nationwide appeal because of different regional farming interests. Following the decline of these two movements, the 1960s Save the West campaign, inspired by the civil rights movement in the United States, attempted to save smallholding western farmers. It advocated for the right of communities to self-determination, promoted local initiatives, and built power by linking together existing groups. Nevertheless, attempts to pressure the government to sponsor pilot projects failed and the movement soon dissolved. The author concludes with an assessment of the relative success of each movement in mobilizing collective action.

History

Cooperative organization

Sodalities

Towns

Administrative agencies

HRAF PubDate

2016