Richard Mulcahy

Richard Mulcahy 1886-1971 was an Irish Fine Gael politician. He fought in the 1916 Easter Rising and served as IRA Chief of Staff during the War of Independence.

He was a supporter of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and became leader of the provisional government's army in the Civil War which followed.

Mulcahy served as Irish Defence Minister from 1923-1924, but was forced to resign after criticism by the Executive Council criticism of his handling of the Army Mutiny. He became leader of Fine Gael in 1944, however, he was forced to decline becoming Taoiseach on two occasions because he was seen to be an unacceptable candidate. Instead he unselfishly stepped aside and served as Minister for Education from 1948-1951 and 1954-1957. Mulcahy retired as Fine Gael leader in 1959.

Richard Mulcahy died in 1971.

Preceded by: Cathal Brugha	Minister for Defence (1922-1924)	Followed by: W.T. Cosgrave
Preceded by: W.T. Cosgrave	Leader of the Opposition (1944-1948)	Followed by: Eamon de Valera
Preceded by: Tomás Ó Deirg	Minister for Education (1948-1951)	Followed by: Seán Moylon
Preceded by: Eamon de Valera	Leader of the Opposition (1951-1954)	Followed by: Eamon de Valera
Preceded by: Seán Moylon	Minister for Education (1954-1957)	Followed by: Jack Lynch
Preceded by: Eamon de Valera	Leader of the Opposition (1957-1959)	Followed by: James Dillon