A Failed Political Entity'

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Stephen Kelly. A Failed Political Entity'

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‘A FAILED

CHARLES HAUGHEY AND THE

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A further significant gap in the historiography of Haughey’s involvement with Northern Ireland, centres on his undervalued role in the genesis of the Northern Ireland peace process. In fact, apart from the seminal studies by Ed Moloney94 and Eamonn Mallie and David McKittrick,95 respectively, Haughey’s contribution to the early stages of the Northern Ireland peace process during the late 1980s and early 1990s has all but been ignored.96 Haughey’s biographers97 and more general studies related to the history of Fianna Fáil98 have, likewise, glossed over his integral role in helping to bring the gun out of Irish politics. Haughey’s decision during his retirement to generally refrain from speaking about his role vis-à-vis the Northern Ireland peace process has also played a part in distorting the historical facts. As he later explained: ‘The stage is already overcrowded with people attempting to claim credit.’99 Again, this work readdresses this imbalance, offering readers a fresh interpretation of Haughey’s public and private role in the embryonic stages of the Northern Ireland peace process.

Writing in the Irish Times in the immediate aftermath of Haughey’s shock resignation as taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader in late 1992, Frank Millar aptly described Haughey’s attitude to Northern Ireland and more generally Anglo-Irish relations. ‘Charles Haughey,’ Millar wrote, ‘will at least go down in history as the man who most wanted to have a profound effect on Anglo-Irish relations.’ Millar continued: ‘he [Haughey] was that rare creature in southern Irish politics – a man with an abiding interest in the North. Whatever about his views he at least had a keen sense of the place.’100 Millar had indeed got to the very essence of Haughey’s feelings towards Northern Ireland and his lifelong aversion to the partition of his beloved country.

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