By K. Thompson
This explains the history and circumstances that led to the formation of this once great patriotic Catholic organisation led by Eoin O’Duffy.The Blueshirt movement sent representatives to the international fascist convention that were held in Montreux and an interesting photograph in the booklet depicts O’Duffy with Vidkund Quisling, leader of the Norwegian Nasjonal Samling and Romanian Iron Guard members.
Support from the Catholic Church was forthcoming and the poet W.B. Yeats wrote a marching song for them. 700 Blueshirts went to Spain to fight there against the communist forces, but twice that number would have gone had there been further transport for them. The Irish leader Michael Collins was venerated as a hero by the Blueshirts and the IRA were their deadly enemies. In the sometimes complex world of Irish political parties and rivalries this booklet is a clear guide.