Was the individual listed as Éamon de Valera's father on his birth certificate a real person?

In the upcoming two-part documentary, Rise and Rule, airing on RTE One on Wednesday, September 3rd at 9.35pm, the life of Eamon de Valera, Ireland's longest-serving Taoiseach, will be explored in detail. One of the intriguing aspects of de Valera's life that the documentary delves into is the mystery surrounding his birth and parentage.

Born on October 14th, 1882, in Lenox Hill, New York, Eamon de Valera's birth name was George de Valero, according to the State of New York birth return. However, his mother, Catherine Coll, claimed Vivion de Valera as his father. Yet, there is no record of Vivion de Valera ever having entered the United States, and no death certificate for Vivion de Valera has been found.

The original birth certificate is signed by a Dr Charles Murray MD, but he did not fill out the form. Instead, the birth certificates of Eamon de Valera in the years 1882 and 1916 were filled out by his mother, Catherine Coll. This is an exceptional situation, according to New York City archivist Kenneth Cobb.

The baptismal certificate lists his surname as de Valeros, and the new birth certificate was issued while de Valera was still in jail after the Rising. The programme suggests a potential inconsistency in the filling out of de Valera's birth certificates, as Catherine Coll gave the impression that she and Vivion were married, but the New York birth certificate allows for a mother to leave the father's name blank and insert "O.W." (out of wedlock).

David McCullagh, the author of the two-volume series on de Valera's life, Rise and Rule, speculates that there is no evidence that Vivion de Valera ever existed. This speculation is based on the fact that there is no record of Vivion de Valera ever having entered the United States, and no death certificate for him has been found.

It mattered greatly to de Valera when he was alive who his father was, according to McCullagh. The programme reveals that the handwriting on the replacement birth certificate matches the signature of de Valera's mother, Catherine Wheelwright, after she married. No trace of Vivion de Valera has ever been found, adding to the mystery surrounding his existence.

The second amended birth certificate from June 30th, 1916, was requested by Catherine Wheelwright, after she married. This certificate changed the surname from de Valeros to de Valera, which is the name Eamon de Valera is known by today. Despite the mystery surrounding his father, Eamon de Valera went on to become one of Ireland's most influential political figures.

The programme promises to shed light on this intriguing mystery and delve deeper into the life of Eamon de Valera. Tune in to RTE One on Wednesday, September 3rd at 9.35pm to uncover the truth behind the mysterious origins of one of Ireland's most iconic figures.

Was the individual listed as Éamon de Valera's father on his birth certificate a real person?