Nowadays de Valera’s ‘comely maidens’ speech would land him in a cultural re-education camp – and he might even enjoy it

On St Patrick's Day I’ll imagine De Valera magically reincarnated on the viewing stand at the GPO to witness the proud and inclusive nation we have become

John Daly

Nobody’s perfect, and we’re only human, after all. Who among us hasn’t had one of those “what was I thinking?” moments at some point in their lives – a blunder or gaffe still rendering us mortified even years later.

I’ve got at least six of them. But it set me wondering, did Eamon de Valera ever feel some smidgin of contrition or remorse for the blooper that still defines him – the clanger dropped 80 years ago on St Patrick’s Day 1943?

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