Conference programme

The World Congress of the Irish Race in Paris was intended to showcase Irish sovereignty and cultural uniqueness. The week long Congress brought Irish diaspora delegates and an international audience together to discuss Irish affairs and establish a central organisation to co- ordinate worldwide diaspora support for the Irish State.

Despite the short period available to organise the congress, detailed preparations started with the aim of opening the event in Paris on the 21 January 1922, a date that would commemorate the third anniversary of the declaration of independence from England and the establishment of Dáil Éireann. Newspapers at the time announced the proposed event and carried commentary, press releases, statements from those involved, as well as describing the extent of the Irish diaspora. This event was described by De Valera as signifying Ireland’s ‘magnificent culture, the grand things the nation could give to the world’, and he further explained that they were striving to achieve the ‘ideal of trying to make Irish culture and Irish spirituality play its part in the modern world’. The main organiser of the Congress, at least up until the point it actually began, was Katherine Hughes – a little known Canadian activist and confidante of Eamon De Valera.

The Congress was opened in the Salle des Fetes of the Hotel Continental, by the Irish envoy to Paris, Sean T. O’Kelly on the 21 January, 1922. This Paris conference was planned during 1921 and took place just two weeks after the Anglo-Irish treaty was approved by the Dáil with the aim of establishing a central Irish diaspora organisation.

About 250 people including 100 official delegates, representing their national diaspora organisations, attended from various parts of the world including Spain, Scotland, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, England, Italy, Java, Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. Many prominent Irish politicians including three future Irish presidents were in attendance.

Programme for World Congress of the Irish Race, Paris 1922.

The following was the programme as planned – taken from a copy of the agenda prepared by Katherine Hughes

Aonac na nGaedael
At the Salle Des Fetes, Hotel Continental
Jan21-28, 1922

Program (Subject to alteration)
Jan 21 – Saturday Registration of Delegates and Visitors at the Grand Hotel
Jan 22 – Sunday Tour of Paris in motors in afternoon – visiting places of interest from the viewpoint of Irish history.
Jan 23 – Monday Opening of session: Meeting at 10:30 and at 2:30 pm.
(Ireland’s Day) Evening: 9pm Concert of Irish Music.
Jan 24 – Tuesday Continuation of sessions: 10:30 am and at 2:30 pm.
(United States day) Evening: Concert and Public Reception.
Jan 25 – Wednesday Continuation of sessions: 10:30 am and at 2:30 pm.
(Sth. America day) Evening: Concert of Irish Music.
Jan 26 – Thursday Continuation of sessions: 10:30 am and at 2:30 pm.
(British Domn’s day) Evening: Concert of Irish Music followed by
Farewell Reception for Delegates and Visitors.
Jan 27 – Friday Final session: 10:30am
(Ireland’s day of Godspeed)
[Proceeding unexpectedly extended to the Saturday]
On this evening – Jan 27 – the Delegates and Visitors of the Aonac na nGaedael are invited to the presentation of “Riders to the Sea” and “The rising of the moon” in the Salle Hoche, by the Dramatic Section of the Irish Club of Paris, followed by Grand Ball.
Exhibition of Irish Art. This exhibition to be given in the Barbazanges Gallery – will be opened during the Congress week and continue for three weeks. [It ran for four weeks]
Topics for discussion on each day were,

Monday: Irish language, literature and history. Chairman – Prof. Eoin MacNeill.
Tuesday: Music, Arts and Physical Culture. Chairman – Rev. Dr. O’Reilly.
Wednesday: Organisation, purpose and constitution of an Irish World Association. Chairman – Mr. Eamon de Valera.
Thursday: Economic Questions Chairman – Mr Art O’Brien.
Friday: Continuation of Wednesday’s programme. Chairman – Mr. Eamon de Valera.