Irish political party. Founded in 1922 as Cumann na nGaedheal, it changed its name in 1933. It originated among supporters of the Anglo-Irish Treaty that created the Irish Free State. William Cosgrave was its leader (1922–44). Fine Gael was in power as the dominant element in a coalition from 1948 to 1951, with John Costello as its leader. This government in 1949 declared Ireland to be a republic. Since then, Fine Gael has been intermittently in power, most recently from 2011, but has required coalition support to remain so. It has advocated the concept of a united Ireland achieved by peaceful means.