Friends of Irish Freedom
Encyclopedia
The Friends of Irish Freedom was an Irish-American Republican organisation founded at the third Irish Race Convention
held in New York (4-5 March, 1916). Supported by the United Irish League
, the Ancient Order of Hibernians
and other leading Irish-American organisations. Clan na Gael
dominated the Executive (holding 15 of the 17 seats).
The Organisation's aims were to 'encourage and assist any movement that will tend to bring about the National Independence of Ireland'. Among the first Executive were Victor Herbert (President), Thomas Hughes Kelly (Treasurer) and John D.Moore (Secretary). An office was set up in Sweden and relations established with Imperial Germany
.
The Friends of Irish Freedom supported the 1916 Rising
and in the months following, raised $350,000 through the Irish Relief Fund to assist dependents of many who fought in the Rising.
In 1917, the Executive Committee of the Friends of Irish Freedom circulated a petition calling for the Independence of Ireland throughout the US and secured several hundred thousand signatures. President Wilson in turn directed Secret Service agents to examine the membership and funding of the organisation.
In May 1918, the Friends of Irish Freedom organised the fourth Irish Race Convention during which Diarmuid Lynch
became National Secretary holding the post until his return to Ireland in 1932.
By 1920, there was a Regular membership of 100,000 and 484 Associate Branches with an Associate membership of 175,000.
During the Irish War of Independence, the Friends of Irish Freedom raised over $5,000,000 for the newly declared Irish Republic through the promotion of Bond Certificates. Legal advisor to the organisation for the Bond Drive was Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
In October 1920, a rift developed between the Irish American leaders and Éamon de Valera
which resulted in a split between the Friends of Irish Freedom in the United States and the Irish Republican Brotherhood
in Ireland. Prior to his departure from the US, de Valera founded a rival organisation, the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic to take over the activities of the Friends.
The Friends of Irish Freedom was wound up in 1932 following extensive litigation concerning the funds raised for the Irish Republic which were claimed by de Valera, most of the funds were returned to the original donors.
Irish Race Conventions
The Irish Race Conventions were a disconnected series of conventions held in Europe and America between 1881 and 1994. None was concerned in defining the Irish as an ethnic race, but they were arranged to discuss some pressing or emerging political issues at the time concerning Irish Nationalism....
held in New York (4-5 March, 1916). Supported by the United Irish League
United Irish League
The United Irish League was a nationalist political party in Ireland, launched 23 January 1898 with the motto "The Land for the People" . Its objective to be achieved through agrarian agitation and land reform, compelling larger grazier farmers to surrender their lands for redistribution amongst...
, the Ancient Order of Hibernians
Ancient Order of Hibernians
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is an Irish Catholic fraternal organization. Members must be Catholic and either Irish born or of Irish descent. Its largest membership is now in the United States, where it was founded in New York City in 1836...
and other leading Irish-American organisations. Clan na Gael
Clan na Gael
The Clan na Gael was an Irish republican organization in the United States in the late 19th and 20th centuries, successor to the Fenian Brotherhood and a sister organization to the Irish Republican Brotherhood...
dominated the Executive (holding 15 of the 17 seats).
The Organisation's aims were to 'encourage and assist any movement that will tend to bring about the National Independence of Ireland'. Among the first Executive were Victor Herbert (President), Thomas Hughes Kelly (Treasurer) and John D.Moore (Secretary). An office was set up in Sweden and relations established with Imperial Germany
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
.
The Friends of Irish Freedom supported the 1916 Rising
Easter Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
and in the months following, raised $350,000 through the Irish Relief Fund to assist dependents of many who fought in the Rising.
In 1917, the Executive Committee of the Friends of Irish Freedom circulated a petition calling for the Independence of Ireland throughout the US and secured several hundred thousand signatures. President Wilson in turn directed Secret Service agents to examine the membership and funding of the organisation.
In May 1918, the Friends of Irish Freedom organised the fourth Irish Race Convention during which Diarmuid Lynch
Diarmuid Lynch
Diarmuid Lynch was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and Sinn Féin member of the First Dáil.-Early life:Lynch, initially named Jeremiah, was born in Granig, Tracton, County Cork...
became National Secretary holding the post until his return to Ireland in 1932.
By 1920, there was a Regular membership of 100,000 and 484 Associate Branches with an Associate membership of 175,000.
During the Irish War of Independence, the Friends of Irish Freedom raised over $5,000,000 for the newly declared Irish Republic through the promotion of Bond Certificates. Legal advisor to the organisation for the Bond Drive was Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
In October 1920, a rift developed between the Irish American leaders and Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
which resulted in a split between the Friends of Irish Freedom in the United States and the Irish Republican Brotherhood
Irish Republican Brotherhood
The Irish Republican Brotherhood was a secret oath-bound fraternal organisation dedicated to the establishment of an "independent democratic republic" in Ireland during the second half of the 19th century and the start of the 20th century...
in Ireland. Prior to his departure from the US, de Valera founded a rival organisation, the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic to take over the activities of the Friends.
The Friends of Irish Freedom was wound up in 1932 following extensive litigation concerning the funds raised for the Irish Republic which were claimed by de Valera, most of the funds were returned to the original donors.