The purpose of this study was to examine the political economic and social events that gave birth to a so-called fascist movement in Ireland during the early nineteen thirties. The study also attempted to explain the reasons for the failure of the movement. The members were called the "Blueshirts" and although they were significant in the political arena for only a few years there has never been a satisfactory explanation for their impact. Was it truly a fascist movement with the sinister potential of its sister political organizations on the continent? Or was it simply a short-lived reaction to what was called "the repressive policies" of the newly elected Fianna Fail government in 1932? Was their leader, General Eoin O'Duffy, attempting to overthrow parliamentary government? Or was he simply trying to solve the economic problems of Ireland that were the result of the world depression and the Anglo-Irish Economic War? Which, if either, was the explanation for Blueshirtism? In an attempt to answer these questions this writer began by putting the story in historical perspective.