History of the Party: The de Valera Years Making the Free State free
The first moves towards establishing Fianna Fáil began in 1926, when on the 23rd of March a preliminary meeting took place to form a new party in response to a split in the Sinn FŽin movement over the issue of abstentionism from Dáil Éireann. On April 2nd the title Fianna Fáil was adopted and this was followed up by the first public meeting on May 16th in the La Scala Theatre, Dublin.
At the first Ard Fheis, held on November 24th 1926, Eamon de Valera was elected President. The aim of the new party as stated by de Valera at that time was "the reuniting of the Irish people in the pursuit of not only national freedom but the social and economic benefit of all".
In its first contested General Election in June 1927, Fianna Fáil won 44 seats. In August of that year, Fianna Fáil deputies took their seats in Dail Eireann. In the intervening years while in Opposition, Fianna Fáil perfected their organisation on the ground and through a newspaper which they established, 'The Irish Press' they managed to disseminate their ethos throughout the country.
The first Fianna Fáil Government elected by the Dail took their seats on March 9th 1932, with Eamon de Valera as President of its Executive Council. Fianna Fáil was to hold power for sixteen unbroken years. Under the leadership of Eamon de Valera in the 30's the Fianna Fáil policies gradually extended the freedom of the State. The new Constitution of 1937 marked a high point in the achievements of that period. It has been modified over the years, but it's basic recognition of the fundamental rights of the individual was far before its time and forms the integral part of today's constitution.
During the war years from 1939 to 1945, the leadership of Eamon de Valera steered a clear path of neutrality which saved the country from turmoil. When Fianna Fáil lost power in 1948, it handed over a clearly independent state to those who succeeded them.
kilde:
http://www.fiannafail.ie/about/history1.html
