Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article,
Cork Independent, 18 November 2010
In the Footsteps of St. Finbarre (Part 237)
With Confidence in Ourselves
“The State is greater than any of its individual interests and I would express the belief that no purpose can be served by any attempt to subordinate the national well-being to any sectional or personal interest. The people of the country will not tolerate it, and I am satisfied that all elements will realise that their best interests are here in Ireland. And that by serving Ireland and co-operating with the people of Ireland their own interests will also be served.” (Senator J. Connolly, Fianna Fail Minster for Posts and Telegraphs, at the opening of the Irish Industrial and Agricultural Fair, Cork, 11 May 1932)
By the opening of the Irish Industrial and Agricultural Fair, Cork, in early May 1932, President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State, W.T. Cosgrave , who had turned the sod for the event in August 1932, had lost the 1932 general election and he and his party Cumann na nGaedheal were replaced by Fianna Fáil. The election took place on 16 February 1932. Cosgrave’s government fought the general election on its record of providing ten years of stable government. The party sought and brought stability following the chaos of the Irish Civil War. However, since the party in general had no solution to the collapse in trade which followed the depression of the early 1930s, they failed to stay in power. Instead of offering new policies the party believed that its record in government would be enough to retain power. Fianna Fáil created an election programme, designed to appeal to a wide section of the electorate. The 1932 general election was the beginning of a sixteen year period in government for Fianna Fáil headed up by Eamonn Devalera.
President DeValera had consented to perform the official opening ceremony of the Cork Fair but the fact that the Free State budget, was being introduced in the Dail rendered his attendance at Cork impossible. The President appointed Senator J. Connolly, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, to officiate at the ceremony on the 11 May 1932. The Cork Examiner on the following day, 12 May, recounted that previous to the opening ceremony of the fair a luncheon was provided for some 250 guests at the grounds. Senator Crosbie, President of the Executive Committee of the fair, presided. On his right was Senator J. Connolly, Bishop of Cork, Dr. Daniel Cohalan and the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor P.J. Daly. A vacant chair between Senator Crosbie and the Lord Mayor was reserved for Mr. W.T. Cosgrave T.D. Mr. Cosgrave arrived ten minutes late after the luncheon had begun and his entry into the large dining hall was the occasion of an ovation.
Senator Crosbie rose to propose the toast of “Éire”. The Lord Mayor in proposing the toast of “our guests” in Irish said “with confidence in ourselves, confidence in our country and confidence in the future; Cork extends a hearty welcome to our visitors today”. Continuing in English, he said:“ This Industrial and Agricultural Fair forcibly demonstrates that Cork stands for progress and prosperity and that here in the Capital of Munster there is no place for soul-destroying depression or despair. Here today we show the world examples of Ireland’s industrial capacity, and that as an agricultural nation we are ready, capable and willing to compete with other nations. With our National Government at our backs we have practically an unlimited field for the development of our cattle industry, our butter industry, our egg industry and bacon industry. Today we hold a national Agricultural and Industrial Fair in order to stimulate practical industrialists and agriculturalists. We cordially invite our fellow countrymen from all parts to rally to the Irish Fair.”
Around the entrance to the main entrance of the industrial hall a temporary platform , fitted with broadcasting apparatus was erected, around which gathered hundreds of people. The speeches of the opening ceremony were broadcast on radio. Senator Crosbie handed over a silver key to the Fair to Senator Connolly, which he in turn was to hand over to Eamonn DeValera. Senator Connolly in his opening address spoke about the country’s problems; “it is encouraging to find that despite world-wide industrial depression the directors and organisers backed up by the citizens of Cork showed such commendable courage as to proceed with this great venture which afforded the citizens of the State and the visitors to this country some examples of what the country is doing and can do in productive enterprise….if we are to learn anything from recent economic history we will examine for ourselves what is meant by success and prosperity. We have before our eyes today countries where unemployment, want and starvation are present side by side with every conceivable commodity and luxury, where the productive capacity knows practically no limits, and where men stand by a machine that they cannot control. We in Ireland must keep these factors in mind if we are to plan intelligently in the future development of this country. Watching, what I might call the failures of success, the dangers of monopoly, the menace of uncontrolled exploitation; we can learn from what has resulted elsewhere.”
To be continued…
Captions:
566a. Illustration of fair grounds, 1932, Carrigrohane Straight Road (sources: Cork Museum)
566b. Advertisement, Irish Industrial and Agricultural Fair, 1932, Cork
