Saor Éire, a republican-socialist political party, was founded in 1931 by prominent left-wing members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), including Peadar O’Donnell, Seán MacBride, and Frank Ryan. The party aimed to merge socialist principles with republican nationalism, advocating for land redistribution, workers’ rights, and anti-imperialism.
Despite its brief existence, Saor Éire alarmed both the Irish Free State government and the Catholic Church due to its leftist ideology and radical rhetoric. In response:
- On 23 October 1931, the Free State government declared Saor Éire, the IRA, and ten other organizations illegal, citing security concerns and fears of subversion.
- The Catholic Church condemned the group, and members of the IRA and affiliated socialist movements faced excommunication due to the Church’s staunch anti-communist stance.
Saor Éire dissolved shortly after, having failed to gain significant political traction. However, it left a lasting ideological imprint on the Irish left, influencing future movements like Clann na Poblachta and later socialist republican factions.