Today In Irish History – Democracy In Ireland, 9 March

~ 1932 ~
Eamon De Valera having won the 1932 general election becomes President of the Irish Executive Council replacing his Civil War rival WT Cosgrave who’s party, Cumann na nGaedhael, had governed since the foundation of the Irish Free State.

Despite fears on both sides that violence would ensue, De Valera’s party, Fianna Fail, took power with very little trouble. Fianna Fail quickly established itself as the dominant party of government holding power for most of the twentieth century. In more modern times the party has held power since 1997 and won the last general election in 2007.