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Michael MacWhite (1883 – 1958) was an Irish
Michael MacWhite (1883 – 1958) was an Irish diplomat
A diplomat (from grc, δίπλωμα; romanized ''diploma'') is a person appointed by a state or an intergovernmental institution such as the United Nations or the European Union to conduct diplomacy with one or more other states or internati ...
. He was born in Reenogreena, near Glandore
Glandore (, meaning ''harbour of the oak trees'') is the name of both a harbour and village in County Cork, Ireland. Glandore is located about an hour's drive south-west of Cork city.
The village has several pubs, with traditional music. It i ...
, County Cork
County Cork ( ga, Contae Chorcaí) is the largest and the southernmost county of Ireland, named after the city of Cork, the state's second-largest city. It is in the province of Munster and the Southern Region. Its largest market towns are ...
in 1883. Amongst other postings, he served as the first Irish permanent delegate to the League of Nations
The League of Nations (french: link=no, Société des Nations ) was the first worldwide intergovernmental organisation whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference that ...
.
Early career
MacWhite worked as a teacher inDenmark
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, song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast")
, song_type = National and royal anthem
, image_map = EU-Denmark.svg
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark
...
and as a newspaper correspondent. He also fought for Bulgaria
Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedon ...
in the first Balkan War. He then joined the French Foreign Legion
The French Foreign Legion (french: Légion étrangère) is a corps of the French Army which comprises several specialties: infantry, Armoured Cavalry Arm, cavalry, Military engineering, engineers, Airborne forces, airborne troops. It was created ...
and fought in France, Greece and Turkey. He was wounded at Gallipoli
The Gallipoli peninsula (; tr, Gelibolu Yarımadası; grc, Χερσόνησος της Καλλίπολης, ) is located in the southern part of East Thrace, the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles ...
and was awarded the Croix de Guerre three times for bravery in combat. He returned to Dublin after the Great War and offered his services to the fledgling Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann ( , ; ) is the lower house, and principal chamber, of the Oireachtas (Irish legislature), which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann (the upper house).Article 15.1.2º of the Constitution of Ireland read ...
.
League of Nations
In 1921, MacWhite was sent to Geneva as Dáil Éireann representative at the establishment of theLeague of Nations
The League of Nations (french: link=no, Société des Nations ) was the first worldwide intergovernmental organisation whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference that ...
. He reported to George Gavan Duffy. This was the start of a diplomatic career which was to take him all over the world during 30 years of service to the Irish State. MacWhite was closely involved in preparing the Irish Free State for membership of the League of Nations. Having an office at 7, Place Claparède in Geneva, he served as the communication link between the League and the nascent State. He was a strong proponent of Irish membership of the League and served as a member of the Irish delegation representing the Irish Free State at the time it applied to join the League of Nations in 1923. Following Irish admission to the League of Nations in 1923, MacWhite was appointed permanent delegate of the Irish Free State to the League. He also handled the registration of the Anglo Irish Treaty with the League, a step objected to by the UK.
Other postings
In 1929, MacWhite was sent to the United States as official representative of the Irish Free State. In 1938 he was posted to Rome where, as a representative of the renamed Irish state,Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
, he encountered the hostility of a Fascist government distrustful of foreign diplomats. When World War II broke out, MacWhite was responsible for looking after the Irish citizens living in Rome. He retired in 1950 with the rank of Ambassador.
Personal life
He married and fathered children, includingEoin MacWhite
Eoin MacWhite (1923–1972) was an Irish diplomat, archaeologist, and scholar.
Birth
He was born in Geneva where his father, Michael MacWhite, was serving as a member of the delegation chosen to represent the newly independent Irish Free State. ...
. Eoin MacWhite was born on the same day that the Irish Free State's application for League of Nations membership was approved. His birth coincided with a tragic event for the MacWhite family. On the very day he was born, his infant sister died suddenly. Each member of the Irish delegation attended the infant's funeral in Geneva. Michael MacWhite died in 1958.Publication entitled "Michael MacWhite: An Irish statesman and diplomat", published by UCD Archives
References
External links
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Macwhite, Michael Permanent Representatives of Ireland to the League of Nations Soldiers of the French Foreign Legion 1958 deaths 1883 births People from County Cork