Many of the new generation of Irish leaders who played a central role in the fight for Irish independence in the early twentieth century , including Patrick Pearse , Ã amon de Valera ( who married his Irish teacher SinÃ ad Flanagan ) , Michael Collins , and Ernest Blythe first became passionate about Irish independence through their involvement in Conradh na Gaeilge or ( Gaelic League ) . Many of the new generation of Irish leaders who played a central role in the fight for Irish independence in the early twentieth century , including Patrick Pearse , Ã amon de Valera ( who married his Irish teacher SinÃ ad NÃ FhlannagÃ in ) , Michael Collins , and Ernest Blythe first became politicised and passionate about Irish independence through their involvement in Conradh na Gaedhilge or ( Gaelic League ) .