ARTHUR GRIFFITH Arthur Griffith

(1871-1922):

Arthur Griffith was one of the earliest Irish political heavyweights of the 20th century – even though he passed away shortly before the Irish Free State came into existence. A founder of the Sinn Fein Party, he became a high-profile figure throughout the First and Second Dáil. Griffith led the Irish Delegation during the Treaty Negotiations and was elected as President of Dáil Éireann following De Valera’s resignation after the Dáil’s ratification of the Treaty. He died suddenly on 12th August 1922 – ten days before the assassination of Michael Collins.

5th December 1922:

The British Parliament formally adopts the Irish Free State Constitution Act 1922.

6th December 1922:

The Irish Free State officially comes into existence.

8th December 1922:

TheRepresentationofthePeopleAct1918 affordedsomewomenovertheageof30(university graduatesandhome/landowners)therighttovote. Itwasn’tuntilthepublicationoftheIrishFree StateConstitutionin1922thatallwomenwere finallygiventherighttovote.

William T Cosgrave

After the death of Michael Collins, the Provisional Government needed a new leader and selected WT Cosgrave.

Cosgrave had been active in Sinn Féin since its first convention in 1905, and he had served as a councillor for the party on Dublin Corporation from 1909. He also played an active part in the Easter Rising and was elected as an MP in 1918 before serving in the First Dail in 1919.

With his mix of political experience and commitment to both Irish independence and the pro-treaty cause, he was a suitable fit for the role of chairman of the provisional government.

When the first permanent government of the Irish Free State was formed in December 1922, he became President of the Executive Council, or Prime Minister. Today he is regarded as the first Taoiseach even though the position did not have that name at the time.

Cosgrave went on to guide the Free State out of the civil war and he led it for the first 10 years of its existence, laying the foundations for a stable, independent, democratic country.

His son, Liam Cosgrave was elected a Fine Gael TD, and became Taoiseach in 1973, leading a Coalition Government with the Labour Party. Liam and his family lived in Knocklyon.

MICHAEL COLLINS Michael Collins (1890-1922):

There is no denying the fact that Michael Collins was one of the greatest leading lights throughout Ireland’s struggle for Independence. A cunning strategist, he masterminded an intelligence network and republican military campaign that sought to undermine British rule in Ireland. He soon became the most-wanted man in the British Empire. Notwithstanding this status, Collins travelled to 10 Downing Street as one of five plenipotentiaries to negotiate the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Following the passage of the Treaty, he became Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State. He served as Commander in Chief of the (Irish Free State) National Army at the outbreak of Civil War in 1922. The National Army proved to be successful against the Anti-Treaty Forces, however, Collins would ultimately never see the conclusion of the war. He was assassinated, aged 31, at Beal na Blath on 22nd August 1922 – a week after the sudden death of Arthur Griffith and a few short months before the Irish Free State came into existence.

1922 – 1924: Establishment of Institutions of the Irish Free State

An Garda Síochána:

The Anglo-Irish Treaty led to the disbanding of the Royal Irish Constabulary. In 1922, Michael Collins ordered the recruitment of a new police force called the Civic Guard. On August 8th1923, the Civic Guard was renamed An Garda Síochána – the very same force that continues to keep the peace on our streets today.

Óglaigh na hÉireann:

The Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Act 1923 was enacted ‘to raise and maintain an armed force to be called Oglaigh na hÉireann.’ This new force was established in 1924 and is still the only legitimate armed force in Ireland, despite what certain other parties may argue.

While the Irish Civil Service was not established by law, it was regulated by the Civil Service Regulation Act 1924.

Dublin South West

The Courts:

A new legal system was introduced through the Courts of Justice Act 1924 by Kevin O’Higgins that was based largely on the British system. This comprised of a District Court, Circuit Court, High Court, Court of Criminal Appeal and the Supreme Court. Any Supreme Court decision could be appealed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council – a right that was ultimately abolished in 1933.

Some of the many links to the Decade of Centenaries.

George Gavan Duffy was one of the fiveperson team who negotiated the Anglo-Irish Treaty in London in 1921. He was chosen due mainly to his legal expertise. During the 1918 General election, he was elected as a Sinn Féin MP for South County Dublin and served until 1923. He was later a High Court judge and died in 1951.

Minister Colm Brophy

James Green Douglas, who lived with his family in Terenure, was a close friend of Michael Collins who appointed him to the committee drafting a constitution for the new state in 1922. Douglas was a member of the Quaker Community, a successful businessman, and ran the charity the White Cross, which distributed relief to many in distress after the war of Independence. His grandniece is Fine Gael South Dublin County Councillor Lynn McCrave.

Violent Incident in Rathfarnham during Civil War

Rathfarnham Civic Guard Barracks was blown up 1922 in September by the anti-Treaty IRA. Six men armed with revolvers removed the two Guards and the civilians from the neighbouring houses, then detonated a powerful mine. It was located on the Main Street, at the corner of Church Lane. (Irish Times photograph).

Minister Colm

Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora | Department of Foreign Affairs