Balladeer, despite Boggy's comments, do not be afraid to ask these comments here. Discussion of these matters, while spirited, have led to some marvelous conversations. Never be afraid of controversy. This particular area of controversy has spawned some marvelous music in both the Orange/Unionist and the Green/Republican traditions. The version of Foggy Dew that you refer to is a wonderful rendition and a very powerful song. De Valera is a very controversial figure, especially in the fullness of time. He was a man with a tremendous ego, and it has suggested that he couldn't deal with anything that dealt his self image as the founder of the Irish Republic a negative blow. It has further been suggested in the debate with regard to him and Michael Collins, that he had been negotiating with Downing Street in secret. When he realized in those secret negotiations that he couldn't achieve getting all 32 counties, he sent Michael Collins in, in effect setting Collins up for failure and disgrace. It has also been postulated that Collins realized the trap, and tried to negotiate more of the Northern counties into partition in order to create a Catholic and Republican majority and hence achieve unification through the political means. When this didn't work, and the best he could do was the current situation, Collins pushed hard for the 26 counties as a starting point for the Irish Republic. He felt strongly that ultimate unification would come from this and the opportunity for this starting point must not be missed. De Valera left and the Irish Civil War was on. Some years later, when Dev took the same position that he criticized Collins for taking, he was seen as hypocritical in some circles and as a sellout in some others. I hope this helps you a little. There are many others here better versed in this than I and they can assist more or clear up any factual errors I may have made. But Don Meixners point above is a very important one. De Valera was a very important figure in the Irish struggles for independence and the establishment of the Irish Republic. I would add a strong second to the recommendation that you read Tim Pat Coogan's books on the Big Fella (Collins) and the Long Fella (De Valera).

All the best,

Mick