 Despite the Irish government's prohibition against participating in the war, about 600 Irishmen, followers of the Irish political activist and co-founder of the recently created political party of Fine Gael (unofficially called "The Blue Shirts"), Eoin O'Duffy, known as the "Irish Brigade", went to Spain to fight alongside Franco.The majority of the volunteers were Catholics, and according to O'Duffy had volunteered to help the Nationalists fight against communism.In July 26, just eight days after the revolt had started, an international communist conference was held at Prague to arrange plans to help the Republican Government.