Patrick Smith (politician) career, Smith being said to have shouted across the floor at Dáil Éireann, "They gave us stepping-stones, but they [state forces in 1922] would not walk on them." A play on the same quote by Irish revolutionary, Michael Collins. He entered the Dáil in September 1923, as a Republican candidate. In 1926, Éamon de Valera, the Leader of Anti-Treaty Sinn Fein, approached Smith and persuaded him to join his newly founded political party, Fianna Fáil. Fianna Fail abandoned the abstentionist policy of Anti Treaty Sinn Fein and its elected members took their seats in Dáil Éireann. De Valera and Smith
Sylvia Fein and earlier work in 2014. Shortly after returning to painting, Fein began to work on her “Eye” series, which often exhibited elements of paintings she had done decades earlier. The series currently consists of twenty-one paintings. Fein would later describe her “Eye” series as both a "fun and thrilling experience." Fein also returned to painting landscapes of California, a continuation of earlier work she had done between 1955 and 1975. After the death of her husband in 2013, Fein began work on her “Tree” series as a memorial to her husband, whom Fein credited as having always supported her career.