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The Splendid Cause – The Catholic Action Movement in Ireland in the Twentieth Century
by Dr. Maurice Curtis
Format: Paperback
Publication date: 23/09/2008
ISBN: 978-1-906018-90-0
Price: €18.00
The Catholic Action Movement was one of the most potent forces operating in Ireland from the early years of the 20th century until the 1960’s. In the newly independent Ireland, Catholic lay organisations played a crucial role in asserting the Catholic Church’s influence on both politics and society. The Movement was part of that strategy forged by the Catholic Church to take account of the new relationship between Church and State after the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty. The Catholic lay organisations that constituted the Movement, were pivotal in helping to shape and consolidate public opinion, in copper-fastening the Catholic-Irish identity and in helping to enshrine the moral code in Irish law.It also had a resounding impact on the drafting of the 1937 Constitution of Ireland. Moreover, its influence can be seen in the growth of democracy and the political party system in Ireland, in the ideologies embraced by Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Clann na Poblachta, and consequently on Governments’ social and economic policies. This book charts the growth, development and influence of the Catholic Action Movement on twentieth century Ireland.
About the Author
Dr. Maurice Curtis is a graduate of the National University of Ireland/UCD and is based in Dublin. He is an Historian, Writer and Reviewer with a particular interest in Irish Social History, including ideology, identity and change.
