SNIPPET: Ernest BLYTHE was a rare example, by the early 20th century, of an Ulster Protestant embracing cultural and political nationalism. Born in Co. Antrim, he joined the Gaelic League and Irish Republican Brotherhood while a clerk in Dublin, and was imprisoned during the rising of 1916. As Cumann na nGaedheal minister for finance (1922-31) he won lasting notoriety by reducing old-age pensions, but also initiated the state subsidy to the Abbey theatre. He was managing director of the Abbey 1941-67, where he insisted that only Irish-speaking actors could be employed. As Earnan de BLAGHD he published poety and memoirs.