Abstract
The United Nation’s debate on the South Tyrol issue in 1959/60 marks one of the major turning points in the province’s troubled history towards the autonomy of 1972. Existing historiography largely overlooks the role the young Irish Republic and its skilled diplomats played in the success for Austria that was Resolution 1497 (XV) dated October 31, 1960. This article investigates the Irish motivation for getting involved in an issue seemingly far removed from its own national interests, and it analyses in detail the negotiators’ strategies involving many newly independent African and other non-aligned states in drafting the resolution. Linking the South Tyrol case closely to their own recent colonial history and the ensuing struggle for independence from the United Kingdom, the Irish were instrumental in countermanding the dominance of super-powers such as the USA and blocs like the emerging European Economic Community in 1960 in order to give voice to grievances affecting smaller member states.