Member, Irish Volunteers (1913); Member, Gaelic League (1914); Sinn Féin organiser, S. Armagh; Commandant 4th Northern Div. IRA (1921); Chief of staff (1923); Founding member, Fianna Fail (1923-1973); Irish Minister of Defence (1932-1939); Irish Minister for Co-ordination of Defensive Measures (1939-1945); Irish Minister of Finance (1945-1948); Irish Minister of External Affairs (1951-69); Tanaiste of Ireland (1965-1969).
Aiken completed one interview for the John F. Kennedy Library on September 15, 1966 in which he recalls his first encounters with John F. Kennedy as a congressman and then as a senator. He recounts events from John F. Kennedy’s trips to Ireland, both as a senator and as president. Aiken also discusses nuclear proliferation and the Cuban Missile Crisis, which naturally leads to his recollection of the events leading up to the Bay of Pigs. This issue of disarmament comes up briefly before Aiken moves on to discuss foreign policy toward China. Ireland’s role in the UN is the main focus through which these events are discussed including Ireland’s relationship with India and China, Peking, and Formosa.