History
A Brief History of the Irish Free State
The Irish Republic was endorsed by the Irish people in 1918. In December 1921, under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty the Irish Free State was established. The treaty was ratified by the new Irish Parliament Dail Eireann. Opposing the treaty was Michael Collins who believed that the treaty was the first step towards total independence. The Treaty divided the nation and was followed by a short but vicious Civil War. The Civil war ended in the defeat of the republican opposition on the 30th April 1923.
The republican opposition, including Sinn Fein and the IRA, refused to accept the authority of the new state or the legitimacy of the Constitution of the Irish Free State (1922). At the general election of August 1923, parties in favour of the Treaty won approximately 70 per cent of the vote. W.T. Cosgrave was elected the first President of the Executive Council of the Free State (head of government). The Garda Siochana was established as an unarmed police force and quickly received widespread public support.
By the early 1930?s the Irish Free State had established itself as an independent entity in world affairs, despite the constraints imposed by the Treaty. Eamonn De Velara established Fianna Fail in 1926 to provide a republican alternative to the more conservative nationalism. Between 1927 and 1932 Fianna Fail attracted those voters who were dissatisfied with the Government and those who wanted a more active nationalist policy. In 1933 Fianna Fail had 49.7 percent of the Votes and Fianna Fail remained in power for the next 16 years.
Colm Brady is Director of Business Development for Thrifty Car Rental Ireland and has worked with Thrifty since 2000. Colm is continually developing the companies business through both the traditional and online channels. Among the websites that are currently under the Thrifty Umbrella are: Thrifty Car Rental Ireland, Dollar Car Rental Ieland and Malone Car Hire Ireland. |
Colm B Brady
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