In part one of this post, we looked at a file in Josephine McNeill’s papers concerning her husband, James McNeill, governor-general of the Irish Free State. The office of governor-general was viewed with suspicion by many as a symbol of continued British involvement in Irish affairs, and it was disliked and downgraded in importance by successive Irish governments.
McNeill was aware of these attitudes. He was particularly humiliated by the actions of Seán T. O’Kelly and Frank Aiken at a reception at the French legation in Dublin on 23 April 1932, and by a government request for him not to welcome visitors to the Eucharistic Congress in his official capacity as governor-general in June 1932. McNeill expressed his displeasure to Eamon de Valera, seeking an apology but never receiving one.
A file in De Valera’s papers covers the same controversies (UCDA P150/2220). The first part of the file covers much the same ground as that in Josephine McNeill’s papers. The second part concentrates on legal and diplomatic advice concerning the appointment, function and removal of the governor-general; the office of governor-general vis-à-vis the Irish Free State constitution and the Treaty; de Valera’s submission to King George V re the removal of McNeill as governor-general; and the ensuing debate.
In the end, de Valera withdrew his resignation request and McNeill, due to retire at the end of 1932, instead retired on 1 November.
UCD P150/2200 Papers of Eamon de Valera
Memoranda regarding the letters patent constituting the office of the governor-general, by Seán Murphy, assistant secretary, Department of External Affairs, John J. Hearne, legal adviser, Department of External Affairs, Joseph P. Walshe, secretary, Department of External Affairs, and Conor A. Maguire, attorney-general (April, 4 May; 10 & 18 October 1932).
Draft submission to King George V by Eamon de Valera, president of the Executive Council and Minister for External Affairs, requesting the termination of James McNeill “as the representative of Your Majesty in the Irish Free State” [9 September 1932].
UCDA P150/2220 Papers of Eamon de Valera
Memoranda to de Valera and J.W. Dulanty, Irish high commissioner in London, from Lord Wigram, private secretary to King George V, regarding de Valera’s submission of 9 September to the King to have the office of the governor-general terminated (14 September−17 November 1932).
UCDA P150/2220 Papers of Eamon de Valera
Communications between de Valera, Seán T. O’Kelly, vice-president of the Executive Council and minister for Local Government and Public Health, Hugh Kennedy, chief justice, and Conor A. Maguire, attorney-general (1−22 November 1932).
UCDA P150/2220 Papers of Eamon de Valera
Memorandum entitled ‘The Status and Functions of the Governor General on the Self Governing Dominions’, with headings as follows: ‘Opinions given at various times on the Governor General’s Position’; ‘Is the Governor equal to the King?’; ‘The Governor’s Functions’; ‘Responsibility of Governor General’; ‘Relations between the Governor and the Ministry’; ‘Relations of the Governor general with the Legislature’ and ‘The Governor’s functions as an Imperial officer’ (not dated).
Memoranda entitled ‘The Governor-General and the “Kingdom of Ireland” ’ in which the writer [John J. Hearne?] considers ‘various alternative lines of action which might be expected to present themselves as practicable in the event of the Governor-General resigning before the expiration of his term of office (1st February 1933)’ and advises on which course of action seems ‘most likely to benefit our “status”-position’ (not dated).
This post was written by Kate Manning, Principal Archivist, UCD Archives