Essay Topic 1:Irish Political Parties

Essay Question: “There is nothing new in Irish Party politics. Every single Irish political party without exception can be either traced back to political movements from before the foundation of the state and the Civil War period (1920s), or else they are just modern splits and factions from these old parties off the old block!”. Critically analyze this statement. Is it really accurate?

In your answer provide examples from any THREE Irish political parties active today, or in the past, that either support or contradict this statement.
Weeks, Liam (2017) “Chapter 5, Parties and the Party System”, pp.137-167 in Coakley, John., and Michael Gallagher, (eds). Politics in the Republic of Ireland. 6th ed Routledge; In Association with PSAI Press. 320.9417 POL
Note to answer this question the 6th edition from 2017 would be ideal to capture some new political parties that have emerged in the last few years.

For a historical context see Coakley, John (2010, 2017) “Chapters 1-2-the Foundations of Statehood, Society and Political Culture” pp..3-64 in Coakley, John., and Michael Gallagher, (eds). Politics in the Republic of Ireland. 5th/6th ed., Routledge; In Association with PSAI Press. 320.9417 POL