40 Facts About Sinn Fein

Origins and Early Years

Sinn Féin, meaning "We Ourselves," has a storied history that began over a century ago. Let's explore its origins and early development.

1. Founding: Sinn Féin was founded on November 28, 1905, during the first annual Convention of the National Council. Arthur Griffith outlined the party's policy to establish a national legislature in Ireland.

2. Initial Policy: The early policy was conservative and monarchist, advocating for an Anglo-Irish dual monarchy unified with the British Crown, inspired by the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867.

3. First Election: In the 1908 North Leitrim by-election, Sinn Féin secured 27% of the vote, marking one of its earliest electoral successes.

4. Membership Decline: Despite initial support, both membership and support for Sinn Féin fell significantly after 1908. Attendance at the 1910 ard fheis (party conference) was poor, and there was difficulty finding members willing to take seats on the executive.

Transformation and Reorganization

The Easter Rising and subsequent events significantly transformed Sinn Féin, leading to a reorganization and a shift in its goals.

5. Easter Rising: Although Arthur Griffith himself did not participate in the Easter Rising of 1916, many Sinn Féin members who were part of the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Republican Brotherhood did. The Rising transformed Sinn Féin into a rallying point for extreme nationalist sentiment.

6. 1917 Reorganization: After the Easter Rising, Sinn Féin reorganized at its ard fheis in 1917, committing itself for the first time to the establishment of an Irish Republic.

7. 1918 Election: In the 1918 general election, Sinn Féin won 73 of Ireland's 105 seats, with Constance Markievicz becoming the first woman elected to the United Kingdom House of Commons. However, she did not take her seat in line with Sinn Féin's abstentionist policy.

8. First Dáil: In January 1919, Sinn Féin MPs assembled in Dublin and proclaimed themselves Dáil Éireann, the parliament of Ireland. This marked a significant step towards Irish independence.

War of Independence and Civil War

Sinn Féin's involvement in the Irish War of Independence and the subsequent Civil War shaped its future trajectory.

9. Irish War of Independence: Many Sinn Féin members were active in the Irish War of Independence (1919–1922), during which the party was associated with the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

10. Split in 1922: The party split before and after the Irish Civil War, leading to the formation of Fianna Fáil and Cumann na nGaedheal (which later became Fine Gael).

11. Post-Civil War: For several decades, the remaining Sinn Féin organization was small and often without parliamentary representation. It continued its association with the IRA.

Modern Era and Political Shifts

The late 20th century saw significant changes in Sinn Féin's strategy and political participation.

12. 1970 Split: Another split in 1970 at the start of the Troubles led to the modern Sinn Féin party, with the other faction eventually becoming the Workers' Party.

13. Early 20th Century: In the early 20th century, Sinn Féin advocated for passive resistance to the British and the establishment of an Irish ruling council and independent local courts.

14. Cumann na nGaedheal: The early history of Sinn Féin is closely associated with Cumann na nGaedheal, which formally adopted Griffith’s policy of “Sinn Féin” in October 1902.

15. Dungannon Clubs: A third organization, the Dungannon Clubs, formed in Belfast by Bulmer Hobson, also considered itself part of the Sinn Féin movement.

16. Merger in 1907: By April 1907, Cumann na nGaedheal and the Dungannon Clubs merged as the 'Sinn Féin League.' This merger was finalized at the National Council annual convention in August 1907.

Political Strategy and Peace Process

Sinn Féin's involvement in the peace process and its evolving political strategy have been crucial in shaping modern Irish politics.

17. Foundation Date: The resulting party was named Sinn Féin, and its foundation was backdated to the National Council convention of November 1905.

18. Conservative Phase: Initially, Sinn Féin's policy was conservative and monarchist, advocating for an Anglo-Irish dual monarchy. This phase was influenced by the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867.

19. Economic Nationalism: The party's policy also involved economic nationalism and the industrial development of Ireland. This vision was central to Arthur Griffith's political strategy.

20. IRA Association: Sinn Féin continued to be associated with the IRA, supporting Irish unification and participating in various forms of Irish nationalism, especially republicanism.

21. Eamon de Valera: Eamon de Valera, who became president of Sinn Féin in 1917, was a key figure in the party's early years. He later founded Fianna Fáil in 1926, which absorbed most of Sinn Féin’s original membership.

22. Decline and Rebirth: After 1926, Sinn Féin's power diminished significantly. The party continued as a protest movement, often without parliamentary representation, until it took off as a protest movement after the introduction of internment in August 1971.

23. 1971 Ard Fheis: At the 1971 Ard Fheis, Sinn Féin launched its platform, Éire Nua ("a New Ireland"), which emphasized a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Northern Ireland.

24. IRA Ceasefire: In 1975, the IRA declared a ceasefire, which gave Sinn Féin a concrete presence in the community. 'Incident centres,' manned by Sinn Féin members, were set up to communicate potential confrontations to the British authorities.

25. Sunningdale Agreement: In May 1974, a few months after the Sunningdale Agreement, the ban on Sinn Féin was lifted by the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Hunger Strikes and Political Participation

The 1980s were marked by hunger strikes and a shift towards political participation for Sinn Féin.

26. Hunger Strikes: In 1981, a series of dramatic hunger strikes by Republican prisoners, including Bobby Sands, generated sympathy for the Republican cause and helped increase Sinn Féin’s popularity among Catholics in Northern Ireland.

27. Ballot and Armalite: In the early 1980s, Sinn Féin began to emphasize political and parliamentary tactics, adopting a strategy later known as “the ballot and the Armalite” (rifle).

28. Local Councils: In 1981, Sinn Féin decided to take the seats it had won in local councils in Northern Ireland. This move marked a significant shift towards political participation.

Peace Talks and Modern Developments

Sinn Féin's role in peace talks and its modern political stance have been pivotal in shaping Northern Ireland's future.

29. Peace Talks: In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, under the leadership of Gerry Adams, Sinn Féin participated in peace talks on Northern Ireland. The party became one of the leading Roman Catholic parties in Northern Ireland.

30. Power-Sharing Government: In the 2007 elections, Sinn Féin finished second to the Democratic Unionist Party. Once bitter adversaries, the two parties formed a power-sharing government.

31. 2010 Election: Sinn Féin made party history in 2010 when, for the first time, it received the most votes in Northern Ireland in a British general election.

32. Modern Sinn Féin: Today, Sinn Féin is a republican, left-wing nationalist and secular party. It continues to advocate for Irish reunification and supports various social and economic policies.

33. Leadership: Gerry Adams, who served as president of Sinn Féin, was a key figure in the party's shift towards a policy of seeking a peaceful settlement to sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.

34. IRA Activities: Despite its efforts towards peace, Sinn Féin has historically been associated with high-profile acts of paramilitary violence. The party's leadership has often been linked to the IRA, although it has denied direct involvement in recent years.

35. International Recognition: In 1994, Gerry Adams was granted a visa by U.S. President Bill Clinton, which encouraged the IRA to declare a cease-fire later that year. This move helped Sinn Féin gain international recognition and legitimacy.

36. Peace Process: In 1997, after the IRA reinstated a cease-fire it had declared in 1994, Sinn Féin was permitted to join multiparty peace talks. This marked a significant step towards resolving the conflict in Northern Ireland.

37. Branches and Funding: Sinn Féin has established branches in various countries, including the United States, where it has raised funds and gained support for its cause. The party's commitment to democracy and nonviolence has been emphasized in these efforts.

38. Social Policy: Historically, Sinn Féin has advocated for a corporatist social policy inspired by the Papal Encyclicals of Pope Pius XI. The aim was to create a Catholic state, although this policy has evolved over time.

39. Parliamentary Participation: In 1986, Sinn Féin chose to take the seats it had won in the Dáil, though it continued to abstain from participation in the British Parliament. This move reflected the party's strategic shift towards political engagement.

40. Legacy and Impact: Sinn Féin's legacy is complex and multifaceted. From its early days as a conservative, monarchist party to its modern stance as a left-wing nationalist party, Sinn Féin has played a pivotal role in Irish politics and the struggle for Irish reunification.

Sinn Féin's Impact and Legacy

Sinn Féin's journey from its founding in 1905 to its current role in Irish politics is nothing short of remarkable. Initially advocating for a dual monarchy, the party evolved into a key player in the fight for Irish independence. The 1918 election victory and the establishment of the First Dáil marked significant milestones. Despite splits and periods of decline, Sinn Féin remained a force in Irish nationalism. The party's involvement in the peace process and its shift towards political participation have cemented its place in modern Irish history. Today, Sinn Féin continues to advocate for Irish reunification and social justice, reflecting its enduring commitment to the cause. From its early conservative roots to its current left-wing stance, Sinn Féin's legacy is a testament to its adaptability and resilience in the ever-changing political landscape of Ireland.