FINE GAEL

((Gaelic: Gaelic Nation)) centrist political party that has provided the major political opposition to the Fianna Fil party in Ireland. Michael Marsh Additional reading Michael Gallagher, Political Parties in the Republic of Ireland (1985), provides a lucid introduction. Maurice Manning, The Blueshirts (1970), is the best account of the early history of the party. Stephen O'Byrnes, Hiding Behind a Face: Fine Gael Under Garret FitzGerald (1986), is a readable insider's account of the FitzGerald years.