Clann na Talmhan
Encyclopedia
Clann na Talmhan ˈkʰl̪ˠan̪ˠ n̪ˠə t̪ˠal̪ˠuːnˠ (Offspring of the Land), abbreviated CnaT, was an Irish
agrarian
political party active between 1939 and 1965.
, County Galway
, in the wake of the breakdown of unification talks between the Irish Farmers Federation (IFF) and representatives of farmers in Connacht
on the rate-paying issue. While the IFF supprted full derating, the western view was that the largest farmers should not be relieved of all their rate-paying obligations. Were this to happen, indirect taxation would inevitably increase and small farmers and workers would find themselves appreciably worse off.
The party was led initially by Galway farmer Michael Donnellan. Its foundation represented a revival of agrarian politics in Ireland; from 1922 to 1933, a series of parties had represented farming interests, namely the Farmers' Party
and the National Centre Party
. However, these groups mostly attracted large farmers in the east. In contrast, Clann na Talmhan appealed explicitly to the more numerous small farmers of the west of Ireland. The party's objectives included the promotion of the interests of small farmers, call for government support for land reclamation, lowering of taxes on farmland, a more progressive system of land rates which would help small farmers and more intensive afforestation. During the 40's it began to adopt Social Democratic policies. It was a supporter of free secondary education and subsidized university education as well as state investment in a public healthcare system.
In contrast to the earlier Farmers' Party, Clann na Talmhan emphasised grass-roots campaigning and political agitation. It also developed an efficient electoral machine largely due to the advice and skills employed from former members of Fianna Fáil
. Although the party was hindered to a degree by wartime restrictions on public meetings and the press the party did have five years to prepare for its first election. Clann na Talmhan first entered national politics when it contested the 1943 general election
. On that occasion, the party won ten seats. This was reduced to nine at the 1944 general election
. Donnellan resigned as leader following the election and was replaced by Joseph Blowick
, another western farmer.
(1948–1951), with Blowick serving as Minister for Lands and Donnellan becoming a Parliamentary Secretary
. The party also went on to become a component of the second inter-party government
, with Blowick and Donnellan reprising their ministerial roles. However, this period saw a retrenchment rather than expansion of the party, which did not expand its support beyond western and southern small farmers. Like their spiritual predecessors, Clann na Talmhan could not unite small and large farmers in one party, and this restricted its electoral appeal.
The party began to lose its position after being in government, as people again began to vote for Fianna Fáil
and Fine Gael
rather than small parties. A lack of improvement in the economy also lead to disillusionment with the party. During the 1950s many activists had departed and the party became little more than a collection of personal electoral machines. By 1961, Donnellan and Blowick were the only party TD
s remaining, and the party ceased to exist as an organisation independent of those men. When Donnellan died in 1964, his son was elected, but for Fine Gael rather than his father's party. Blowick decided not to contest the 1965 general election
, and the party was formally wound up.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
agrarian
Agrarianism
Agrarianism has two common meanings. The first meaning refers to a social philosophy or political philosophy which values rural society as superior to urban society, the independent farmer as superior to the paid worker, and sees farming as a way of life that can shape the ideal social values...
political party active between 1939 and 1965.
Formation and Growth
Clann na Talmhan was founded on 29 June 1939 in AthenryAthenry
Athenry is a town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies east of Galway city, and one of the attractions of the town is its medieval castle. The town is also well-known by virtue of the song "The Fields of Athenry".-History:...
, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, in the wake of the breakdown of unification talks between the Irish Farmers Federation (IFF) and representatives of farmers in Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
on the rate-paying issue. While the IFF supprted full derating, the western view was that the largest farmers should not be relieved of all their rate-paying obligations. Were this to happen, indirect taxation would inevitably increase and small farmers and workers would find themselves appreciably worse off.
The party was led initially by Galway farmer Michael Donnellan. Its foundation represented a revival of agrarian politics in Ireland; from 1922 to 1933, a series of parties had represented farming interests, namely the Farmers' Party
Farmers' Party (Ireland)
The Farmers' Party or Farmers' Union was an agrarian political party in the Irish Free State between 1922 and 1932. It was concerned almost exclusively with the interests of the agricultural community, and never sought to widen its scope beyond the countryside.The party won seven seats in Dáil...
and the National Centre Party
National Centre Party (Ireland)
The National Centre Party, initially known as the National Farmers and Ratepayers League, was a short-lived political party in the Irish Free State...
. However, these groups mostly attracted large farmers in the east. In contrast, Clann na Talmhan appealed explicitly to the more numerous small farmers of the west of Ireland. The party's objectives included the promotion of the interests of small farmers, call for government support for land reclamation, lowering of taxes on farmland, a more progressive system of land rates which would help small farmers and more intensive afforestation. During the 40's it began to adopt Social Democratic policies. It was a supporter of free secondary education and subsidized university education as well as state investment in a public healthcare system.
In contrast to the earlier Farmers' Party, Clann na Talmhan emphasised grass-roots campaigning and political agitation. It also developed an efficient electoral machine largely due to the advice and skills employed from former members of Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
. Although the party was hindered to a degree by wartime restrictions on public meetings and the press the party did have five years to prepare for its first election. Clann na Talmhan first entered national politics when it contested the 1943 general election
Irish general election, 1943
The Irish general election of 1943 was held on 23 June 1943. The 138 newly elected members of the 11th Dáil assembled on 1 July when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
. On that occasion, the party won ten seats. This was reduced to nine at the 1944 general election
Irish general election, 1944
The Irish general election of 1944 was held on 30 May 1944, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 9 May. The 138 newly elected members of the 12th Dáil assembled on 9 June when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
. Donnellan resigned as leader following the election and was replaced by Joseph Blowick
Joseph Blowick
Joseph Blowick was an Irish politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1943 as a Clann na Talmhan Teachta Dála for Mayo South. He succeeded Michael Donnellan as leader of the party in 1944. Blowick was appointed to the Cabinet in the two Inter-Party governments, serving under John A....
, another western farmer.
In government and decline
The party became a prominent participant in the first inter-party governmentGovernment of the 13th Dáil
The 13th Dáil was elected at the 1948 general election on 4 February 1948 and first met on 18 February when the 5th Government of Ireland was appointed. The 13th Dáil lasted for 1,211 days....
(1948–1951), with Blowick serving as Minister for Lands and Donnellan becoming a Parliamentary Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary
A Parliamentary Secretary is a member of a Parliament in the Westminster system who assists a more senior minister with his or her duties.In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it is customary for the prime minister to...
. The party also went on to become a component of the second inter-party government
Government of the 15th Dáil
The 15th Dáil was elected at the 1954 general election on 18 May 1954 and first met on 2 June when the 7th Government of Ireland was appointed. The 15th Dáil lasted for 1,022 days.-7th Government of Ireland:...
, with Blowick and Donnellan reprising their ministerial roles. However, this period saw a retrenchment rather than expansion of the party, which did not expand its support beyond western and southern small farmers. Like their spiritual predecessors, Clann na Talmhan could not unite small and large farmers in one party, and this restricted its electoral appeal.
The party began to lose its position after being in government, as people again began to vote for Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
and Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
rather than small parties. A lack of improvement in the economy also lead to disillusionment with the party. During the 1950s many activists had departed and the party became little more than a collection of personal electoral machines. By 1961, Donnellan and Blowick were the only party TD
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
s remaining, and the party ceased to exist as an organisation independent of those men. When Donnellan died in 1964, his son was elected, but for Fine Gael rather than his father's party. Blowick decided not to contest the 1965 general election
Irish general election, 1965
The Irish general election of 1965 was held on 7 April 1965. The newly elected members of the 18th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 21 April when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
, and the party was formally wound up.
Sources
- Maurice Fitzgerald, 2000. “Ireland's European Integration, 1957 to 1966.” In Protectionism to Liberalization: Ireland and the EEC, 1957 to 1966. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate. Open Access Copy
- Barberis, Peter, John McHugh and Mike Tyldesley, 2005. Encyclopedia of British and Irish Political Organisations. London: Continuum International Publishing Group. ISBN 0826458149, 9780826458148
- Manning, Maurice, 1972. Irish Political Parties: An Introduction. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan. ISBN 978-0717105366