According to Brian Feeney's new bok "Sinn Fein:a hundred turbulent years" (O'Brien, 2002) the party was founded in 1905. He lists the Presidents as follows: Edward Marten (1905-08), John Sweetman (1908), Arthur Griffith (1908-17), Eamon de Valera (1917-22 and 1923-26), J.J. O'Kelly ('Scellg') (1926-31), Brian O'Higgins (1931-33 [author of many well-known rebel songs- BT], Fr Michael O'Flanagan (1933-35), Cathal O Murchadha (1935-37), Mrs Margaret Buckley (1937-50), Padraig MacLogain (1950-53), Tomas O Dubhgaill (1953-54), Padraig MacLogain (1954-62), Tomas MacGiolla (1962-70), Ruairi O Bradaigh [Rory Brady] (1970-83), Gerry Adams (1983-).

Of the Ulster Unionist Party, the Oxford Companion to Irish History says ""the governing party of NI between 1921 and 1972. The Party evolved in 1885-86 as a protest movement, united by a broad antipathy to Home Rule but otherwise highly fissile". [this entry was written by Alvin Jackson, Reader in History at Queens Univ Belfast).

Jimmy C: I'm truly sorry for your troubles. Enoch Kent is here at present for the Edinburgh Festival, he appeared on the Archie Fisher BBC radio folk show last week, gave an extensive interview and sang a few songs. It was great to hear him again.