Kevin Boland (Irish: Caoimhín Ó Beolláin) (15 October 1917 – 23 September 2001), was a senior Irish politician. The Minister for Defence (Aire Cosanta is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. Events 1600 - The Linköping Bloodbath takes place on Maundy Thursday in Linköping, Sweden. Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Seán Mac Eoin (30 September 1893 &ndash 7 July 1973 was an Irish Fine Gael Politician and Soldier. Gerald Bartley (12 June 1898 &ndash 10 May 1974 was a senior Irish politician Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Events 1122 - Concordat of Worms. 1459 - Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 1122 - Concordat of Worms. 1459 - Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1957 as a Fianna Fáil TD. ga '''Dáil Éireann''' ( English House of Representatives of Ireland) is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the A Teachta Dála (ˈtʲaxtə ˈdɑːlə is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Oireachtas (Parliament of the Republic of Ireland. He served as Minister for Defence (1957–1961), Minister for Social Welfare (1961–1965) and Minister for Local Government (1965-1970). The Minister for Defence (Aire Cosanta is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Aire Gnothaí Sóisialacha agus Teaghlaigh is the senior minister at the Department of Social and Family Affairs in the The Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government (Aire Comhshaoil Oidhreacht agus Rialtais Áitiúil is the senior minister at the Department of the Environment He holds the distinction of being one of only five TDs to be appointed Minister on their first day in the Dáil. This is an incomplete list of public-representative office-holders elected and appointed since 1918 up to the present day in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Early life and career

Born in Dublin in 1917, Kevin Boland was the son of Gerald Boland, a founder-member of Fianna Fáil, and the nephew of Harry Boland. Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Gerald Boland (25 May 1885 – 5 January 1973 was a senior Irish politician Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the Harry Boland (1887&ndash1922 was an Irish nationalist of the early Twentieth century Despite this, the young Boland failed to get elected to Dáil Éireann on his first two attempts, standing in the Dublin County constituency at the 1951 general election and again at the 1954 election. ga '''Dáil Éireann''' ( English House of Representatives of Ireland) is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament Dublin County was an Irish parliamentary constituency which returned Teachtaí Dála (TDs to Dáil Éireann from 1921&ndash1969 The Irish general election of 1951 was held on 30 May 1951 The newly elected Members of the 14th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 13 June when the new Taoiseach The Irish general election of 1954 was held on 14 May 1954 The newly elected Members of the 15th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 2 June when the new Taoiseach It was third time lucky at the 1957 general election, when he was not only elected to the 16th Dáil but was appointed to the cabinet as Minister for Defence on his very first day in the Dáil. The Irish general election of 1957 was held on 5 March 1957 just over three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 4 February The Government of Ireland (Rialtas na hÉireann n̪ˠə ˈheːɾʲən̪ˠ is the Cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland. The Minister for Defence (Aire Cosanta is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. This was due to the retirement of his father who had served in every Fianna Fáil government since 1932. Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar.

The Defence portfolio was not the most politically demanding at the time, so Boland made only a small impact. As a minister he proudly displayed a fáinne (gold ring) on the lapel of his jacket, which indicated that he was able and willing to speak the Irish language. Fáinne (pronounced, pl fáinní but often rendered as "fáinnes" in English is the name of a pin badge worn to show fluency of or a willingness to speak Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. He frequently conducted his governmental business through the national language, although his command of it was poor. In 1961 he was moved from Defence to the Department of Social Welfare. Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. He remained there until the retirement in 1966 of the Taoiseach, Seán Lemass, when Fianna Fáil faced the first leadership contest in its history. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. The Taoiseach (ˈtiːʃəx in English t̪ˠiːʃʲəx (plural Taoisigh ( or) in Irish) also referred to as An Taoiseach ( t̪ˠiːʃʲəx is the the Seán Francis Lemass (15 July 1899 &ndash 11 May 1971 was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and third Taoiseach of Ireland from 1959 until 1966 The 1966 Fianna Fáil leadership election in the Republic of Ireland began in October 1966 following the decision of Seán Lemass to resign as party leader

[This doesn't make historical sense. Can someone clean this bad connection timeline up? I don't have the relevant info. But it's obviously wrong as it stands. ]

The leadership race immediately erupted as a two-horse battle between Charles Haughey and George Colley. For the British soldier see George Pomeroy Colley George Colley (Seoirse Ó Colla 18 October 1925 &ndash 17 September 1983 was an Irish Both of these men epitomised the new kind of professional politician of the 1960s. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 Things changed when Neil Blaney indicated his interest in running. Neil Terence Columba Blaney (1 October 1922 &ndash 8 November 1995 was a senior Irish politician Boland supported him in his campaign, as both men hailed from the nationalist wing of the party. Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and There was talk at one point of Boland himself entering the leadership race. In the end Jack Lynch was settled on as a compromise, and he became the new Taoiseach. John Mary "Jack" Lynch ( Irish: Seán Ó Loinsigh; 15 August 1917 &ndash 20 October 1999 was the fourth Taoiseach of Ireland, The Taoiseach (ˈtiːʃəx in English t̪ˠiːʃʲəx (plural Taoisigh ( or) in Irish) also referred to as An Taoiseach ( t̪ˠiːʃʲəx is the the Boland was made Minister for Local Government in the new cabinet.

The Arms Crisis

In 1970 events in Northern Ireland caused political chaos over the border in the Republic of Ireland. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. It was the start of "the troubles" in Northern Ireland and Fianna Fáil's policy with regard to the North was coming into question. One crisis meeting was held after another, in which decisive action was needed. The "hawks" in the cabinet urged a symbolic invasion of Northern Ireland to protect nationalists near the border, and to draw international attention, while the "doves", who ultimately prevailed, urged caution. The cabinet meetings were heated events. On one occasion Boland was alleged to have been so angry that he resigned, not only his cabinet position, but also his Dáil seat and went home to his farm in County Dublin to make hay. County Dublin (Contae Bhaile Átha Cliath or more correctly today the Dublin Region ( Réigiúin Átha Cliath) is the area that contains the city of Dublin The resignations were rejected by the Taoiseach after a calming down period. In what became known as the "Arms Crisis" two Ministers, Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney were sacked from the government for gun-running for the Provisional IRA in May of 1970. The Arms Crisis or Arms Trial ( Irish: Géarchéim na nAirm or Triail na nAirm) was a Political scandal in the Republic of Ireland Neil Terence Columba Blaney (1 October 1922 &ndash 8 November 1995 was a senior Irish politician The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Óglaigh na hÉireann ( IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the Boland resigned in solidarity with them and in protest to the government's position on the North. Later that year his criticism of the Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, led to his expulsion from the Fianna Fáil party. The Taoiseach (ˈtiːʃəx in English t̪ˠiːʃʲəx (plural Taoisigh ( or) in Irish) also referred to as An Taoiseach ( t̪ˠiːʃʲəx is the the John Mary "Jack" Lynch ( Irish: Seán Ó Loinsigh; 15 August 1917 &ndash 20 October 1999 was the fourth Taoiseach of Ireland,

One of Boland's most famous incidents took place at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis (party conference) in 1971. Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the An Ardfheis or Ard Fheis ( pronounced ˈɛɕ plural Ardfheiseanna) (Ardfheis is an annual convention or special convention usually of a political party Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Just before Jack Lynch's speech Boland stormed a nearby podium, interrupting Dr. Patrick Hillery in the middle of his speech. John Mary "Jack" Lynch ( Irish: Seán Ó Loinsigh; 15 August 1917 &ndash 20 October 1999 was the fourth Taoiseach of Ireland, Patrick John "Paddy" Hillery (Pádraig Seán Ó hIrighile 2 May 1923 &ndash 12 April 2008 was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and the sixth President of Ireland Boland openly defied the party leadership and his opponents, holding his arms wide open and shouting to the crowd, "Come on up and put me down. " While there was a lot of booing and clapping in an effort to drown him out, many of his supporters started cheering and chanting "We want Boland. " At this point an enraged Patrick Hillery grabbed his microphone and famously replied, "If you want a fight you can have it. . . You can have Boland, but you can't have Fianna Fáil. " At this point the government supporters went ecstatic with cheering and Boland was carried out of the hall.

Political decline and retirement

After this episode Boland founded his own political party, Aontacht Éireann (Unity of Ireland). It won very little support and was soon abandoned. Boland himself failed to be elected to the Dáil in 1973, which effectively ended his political career. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. He continued to remain an outspoken critic of the Republic's Northern Ireland policy, particularly the Sunningdale Agreement. The Sunningdale Agreement was an attempt to end " The Troubles " in Northern Ireland by forcing unionists to share power with nationalists He made one last attempt to reclaim a Dáil seat, standing unsuccessfully in the Dublin South West constituency at 1981 general election. Dublin South West is a Constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The Irish general election of 1981 was held on 11 June 1981 three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 21 May He then retired from public life completely.

Kevin Boland died in Dublin on September 23, 2001. Events 1122 - Concordat of Worms. 1459 - Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar.

Political career

See also

• Families in the Oireachtas
• Arms Crisis

External links

• Kevin Boland's electoral history (ElectionsIreland. Seán Mac Eoin (30 September 1893 &ndash 7 July 1973 was an Irish Fine Gael Politician and Soldier. The Minister for Defence (Aire Cosanta is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. Gerald Bartley (12 June 1898 &ndash 10 May 1974 was a senior Irish politician Seán MacEntee (Seán Mac an tSaoi 22 August 1889 &ndash 10 January 1984 was a senior Irish politician The Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Aire Gnothaí Sóisialacha agus Teaghlaigh is the senior minister at the Department of Social and Family Affairs in the Joseph Brennan (14 February 1912 &ndash 13 July 1980 was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil Party politician Neil Terence Columba Blaney (1 October 1922 &ndash 8 November 1995 was a senior Irish politician The Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government (Aire Comhshaoil Oidhreacht agus Rialtais Áitiúil is the senior minister at the Department of the Environment Bobby Molloy (Roibeard Ó Maolmhuaidh born 9 July 1936 is a former Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats politician in Ireland. Joseph Brennan (14 February 1912 &ndash 13 July 1980 was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil Party politician The Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Aire Gnothaí Sóisialacha agus Teaghlaigh is the senior minister at the Department of Social and Family Affairs in the Joseph Brennan (14 February 1912 &ndash 13 July 1980 was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil Party politician There is a tradition in Irish politics of having family members succeed each other frequently in the same parliamentary seat The Arms Crisis or Arms Trial ( Irish: Géarchéim na nAirm or Triail na nAirm) was a Political scandal in the Republic of Ireland org)

This page incorporates information from the Oireachtas Members Database