Éamon De Valera had a reputation as a skilled negotiator, and was said to possess the shrewdest political mind in Ireland. Was he Ireland’s most able negotiator? What did his record in the U.S. demonstrate? Éamon De Valera had a reputation as a skilled negotiator, and was said to possess the shrewdest political mind in Ireland. Was he Ireland’s most able negotiator? What did his record in the U.S. demonstrate?