DeValera vs. Churchill

[The Lawspeaker]

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DeValera vs. Churchill
An RTE program about the interactions between DeValera and Churchill during WWII and the issue of Irish neutrality.

[Albion]

Ireland being neutral must have been quite easy. Just sit back and use Britain as a buffer state and become a German ally if the Germans did manage to take Britain. :p
Ever wondered why Ireland isn't in NATO and doesn't have much of a military? I haven't. ;)

[The Lawspeaker]

Ever wondered why Ireland isn't in NATO and doesn't have much of a military? I haven't. ;)
Well.. you can't say that the paddies aren't clever. ;)

[Jack B]

Any nation in Irelands position would have done the same, it's a small periphery country on the outskirts of Europe of little interest to the Germans and the relations between Ireland and the UK were a lot less friendly back then. It was in Britains interest to keep the Germans from getting a foothold here for strategic reasons of course.

There was a sentiment among the people that reunification of Ireland might be possible after German defeat of Britain, there was also a sense that by volunteering to fight for Britain that they might remember the favour in the event of victory and many did indeed fight on the British side.

So all in all there were many factors to consider and neutrality was indeed the best bet :D