2012: The pursuit of sovereignty and the impact of partition, 1912-1949
What was the significance of the Eucharistic Congress, 1932? (100)
The Eucharistic Congress had great significance in the Irish Free State. The 1932 conference helped to unite the
country and ease the civil war tensions. It also solidified Irish Catholic identity and displayed the power of the
Church in Ireland. De Valera was proven to be a strong Catholic leader, while at the same time, Ireland benefited
from the use of modern technology.
Prior to 1932, bitter tensions existed between supporters of the Cumann na nGaedheal government and antiTreaty campaigners. The Eucharistic Congress allowed the people to focus more on what united them and less on
the deep political divisions. Though the Catholic Church openly supported the pro-Treaty government and
threatened ‘Irregular’ IRA members with excommunication, ninety per cent of Irish people considered themselves
Catholic and attended mass regularly. For the duration of the Congress, Ireland was at peace. It was significant
and great achievement of the Congress to unite a bitterly divided country.
The Congress also solidified the idea of Catholic Ireland. The struggle of Catholic Ireland against British or
Protestant ‘brutality’ was emphasised by priests and in Catholic schools. In his address at the arrival of the Papal
legate, Cardinal Lauri, de Valera spoke of the persecution of Catholic Ireland under a Protestant power. DeValera
made references to previous Popes’ willingness to ‘aid’ the Irish in their struggles such as Gregory XIV. The openair mass in the Phoenix Park was also significant in solidifying Catholic Irish identity. The mass held on the 26th
June 1932 was attended by over a million people. Constant references were made to the ‘Apostle Patrick’. A
public procession of the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of Dublin further showed the devotion of the Irish
people to the church. International reports also understood the Congress’s significance in promoting the Catholic
identity of the Free State. ‘l’Osservatore Romano’, the official Vatican newspaper, praised Irish devotion to the
Church. While Cardinal Lauri, the Papal legate, saint a telegram to Rome in which he stated that the entire nation
cries ‘God Bless the Pope’. In this way the International community began to see Ireland as a truly Catholic State.
The influence of the Church in Ireland was also demonstrated though the Eucharistic Congress, most notably
through the Cardinal’s arrival. The Legate arrived at Dun Laoighre Harbour to a crowd of 50,000 people. The army
provided him with a ‘royal salute’ and a fleet of aeroplanes formed a ‘perfect cross’ as they flew overhead. The
huge turnout and welcome that the Cardinal received showed just how much influence the Church had in Ireland.
Camps were set up all over Dublin city to accommodate the thousands who flocked there to attend the Congress.
The Congress in particular depicted the influence of the church on the poor in Ireland. Houses in run-down innercity areas were elaborately decorated with ‘festoons’ and ‘garlands’. The papal flag and icons were hung out of
windows. This showed the firm grip the Catholic Church had on the working classes in Ireland.
The Eucharistic Congress was also significant in promoting deValera as a Catholic leader. As the leader of antiTreaty opposition, many of de Valera’s followers had been denounced by the Catholic Church. However, he took
office in February 1932, a mere three months before the Congress. He used the event to enhance his image as a
staunch Catholic leader. De Valera accompanied Cardinal Lauri through the streets of Dublin in Daniel O’Connell’s
carriage. Throughout the Congress he spoke at many masses emphasising the role of the ‘Roman Pontiff’ in
Ireland. DeValera’s appearances at the Eucharistic Congress were extremely significant as they healed tensions
between Fianna Fail and the Catholic Church. DeValera was now the truly Catholic leader of a devoted country.
Another significant achievement of the Congress was that it made use of the latest technology. This showed the
strength of Ireland abroad. Lights were installed all over Dublin city while a round tower was constructed in St
Stephen’s Green. Mega phones were used to recite the daily itinerary in six different languages. This was seen as
impressive internationally. Irish people themselves were thrilled by the speakers used to broadcast the masses
throughout Dublin city. The most remarkable technological achievement of the Congress was the radio
connection established between Dublin and the Vatican. This allowed Pope Pious XI to address the pope gathered
for the open air mass in the Phoenix Park. This was enormously significant as it was the first time that a Pope had
spoken to a Eucharistic Congress, however, it also boosted Ireland’s reputation internationally for technology and
infrastructure.
Therefore, the 1932 Eucharistic Congress played a highly significant role in uniting the Irish people. It also
solidified the idea of Catholic Ireland as displayed the Church’s influence on the Free state. DeValera promoted
himself as the Catholic leader of a devout Free State while Ireland’s use of new technology impressed the national
and international community.
815 words
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You are the corrector: Read the essay written by Sarah Lyons and correct it according to the Marking Scheme
below: When you arrive at a mark write a detailed examiners comment explaining exactly why you awarded this
mark.
Essay = 100 marks
(CM) = 60 marks for Historical Content (accurate and relevant to the question asked)
(OE) = 40 marks for Overall Evaluation (the quality of the answer in the context of the set question)
CM:
PER PARAGRAPH
11-12 marks
Excellent
8-10 marks
Very good
6-7 marks
Good:
3-5 marks
Fair
0-2 marks
Poor
OE MARKS
34-40 marks
28-33 marks
22-27marks
16-21 marks
10-15 marks
0-9 marks
Add up the CM marks per paragraph and arrive at a mark out of 60: Justify
your mark below:
MARKS
IMPRESSION
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
34-40 marks
Excellent:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
28-33 marks
Very good
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
22-27marks
Good:
16-21 marks
Fair:
Assign an O.E Mark based on the extent to which the essay demonstrates
excellence in its treatment
of marks
the set question.
10-15
Weak:
Excellent:
______________________________________________________________
0-9 marks
Very weak:
Very good
______________________________________________________________
(CM) = 60 marks for Historical Content (accurate and relevant to the question asked)
______________________________________________________________
Good:
(OE) = 40 marks for Overall ______________________________________________________________
Evaluation (the quality of the answer in the context of the set question)
Fair:
______________________________________________________________
Weak:
______________________________________________________________
Very weak:
______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Based on your correction of the essay above, identify & explain three main elements to your own essay that you
need to work on in the future.