The Nation (nuachtán Éireannach)

Cathal Gabhán Ó Dubhthaigh, 1947

Sa bhliain 1842 tháinig triúr fear óg le chéile i mBaile Átha Cliath — Seán Blácach Diolún (John Blake Dillon), Connachtach ó Chontae Mhaigh Eo, Séarlas Gabhánach Ó Dufaigh, Ultach ó Chontae Mhuineacháin agus Tomás Dáibhis (Thomas Davis), mac le dochtúir de chuid Arm na Breataine, a rugadh i gContae Chorcaí i gCúige na Mumhan agus a tógadh i mBaile Átha Cliath. Beirt Chaitliceach agus Protastúnach amháin – a bhí, dar le staraí an nuachtáin TF O’Sullivan, ar fad "free from the slightest taint of bigotry, and were anxious to unite all creeds and classes for the country's welfare." [2]

Bhí an triúr ina mbaill de Chomhlachas Aisghairm Dhónaill Uí Chonaill a d'iarr aisghairm Acht Aontas 1800 idir Éirinn agus an Bhreatain; tabharfar Éire Óg ar an gcomhlachas seo níos déanaí.

Ba é an t-ainm a mhol Duffy don pháipéar ná The National, ach d’easaontaigh Davis, ag rá “"that the use of an adjective for such a purpose was contrary to the analogies of the English language". Mhol sé The Nation, ar aontaigh an triúr sin leis.[3] "Ba mhian linn Éire a dhéanamh ina náisiún", a scríobh Duffy, "and the name would be a fitting prelude to the attempt.".[3]

In am trátha agus tar éis go leor comhairliúcháin eile idir na bunaitheoirí, d'eisíodh an fógra seo a leanas maidir le dáta foilsithe, ainm na hirise, agus na rannpháirtithe:.[4]

On the first Saturday in October will be published the first number of a; DUBLIN WEEKLY JOURNAL TO BE CALLED THE NATION, for which the services of the most eminent political writers in the country have been secured. It will be edited by Charles Gavan Duffy, Editor of The Vindicator (Ulster Newspaper), aided by the, following distinguished contributors:— JOHN O'CONNELL, ESQ., M.P.; Thomas Osborne Davis, Esq., Barrister-at-Law; W. J. O'Neill Daunt, Esq., Author of The Green Book, John B. Dillon, Esq., Barrister-at-Law Clarence Mangan, Esq., Author of Anthologia Germanica and Litterae Orientales; The Late Editor of the London Magazine and Charivari, J. C. Fitzgerald, Editor of The True Sun, And others whose names we are not at liberty to publish.[4]

Ba é Charles Gavan Duffy an chéad phríomheagarthóir.

Sa tríú heagrán, ar an 29 Deireadh Fómhair 1842, foilsíodh amhrán tírghrá ‘Faugh a Ballagh’ leis an Dufach, faoin ainm cleite ‘Black Northern’.[5]

• Thomas Davis
• Cathal Gabhán Ó Dubhthaigh