1-156-890 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Eamon De Valera declining the opportunity to attend the Ottawa Conference, 1932. Cartoon showing De Valera (1822-1975) American-born Irish statesman, declining the opportunity to attend the Ottawa Conference on tarriffs because of his duties at home in the Irish Free State, where he had just come into power. The caption reads: The Reckoning. Mr De Valera: 'My home duties keep me from Ottawa.' Mr J H Thomas: 'And we shall soon be providing you with some foreign ones too.' After fighting for Irish independence, De Valera (1882-1975) became leader of Fianna Fail and served as Prime Minister of Ireland. He was President from 1959 to 1973. Cartoon from Punch (London, 6 July 1932).