Sinn Fein

The Irish republican party, whose modern form dates from 1970, now a major force on both sides of the border.

Overview

Sinn Fein, Ourselves Alone, was founded by Arthur Griffith in 1905 and swept the 1918 election, its MPs forming the First Dail and waging the War of Independence. The 1921 Treaty split it into pro and anti Treaty camps whose successors still structure Irish politics. The modern party dates from the 1970 split as the republican movement political wing, long ostracized for its IRA links. Under Gerry Adams and Mary Lou McDonald it entered the Irish parliament and assembly, served in Northern government 2007-2017 with Martin McGuinness as deputy first minister, and surged on housing and unity platforms to poll leadership in the Republic. It takes the social democratic left position now, north and south.