From Crown to Harp

The crown was the symbol of British power in Ireland, and in December 1921 opponents of the Anglo-Irish Treaty claimed that its terms tied Ireland to the Crown forever. The new Irish Free State would be within the British Commonwealth, with limited sovereignty. And some believed it would stay that way if the Treaty was accepted. And yet, within 16 years, Ireland had become a republic. A dozen years after that, it acquired the name as well and removed any ambiguity about its constitutional status by formally leaving the Commonwealth. And all without the firing of a shot.

This peaceful revolution had been achieved by a succession of governments of different parties and a cast of characters included a monarch prepared to surrender his throne for love; a British prime minister who made Irish neutrality possible and another who did his best to bully or bribe Ireland into World War II.

What had seemed impossible in 1921 had been achieved through relentless pressure, considerable skill and no small amount of luck. This is the story of how it happened.

Ideal for readers who:

• Want Irish history that makes constitutional change feel immediate and clear.
• Are gripped by the political manoeuvres that followed the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
• Take an interest in Ireland’s changing relationship with Britain and the Commonwealth.
• Prefer narrative history shaped by pressure, personalities and high-stakes decisions.

ISBN

9781804581469

Format

Hardback

Publisher

Gill Books, (10 October 2025)

Number of Pages

528

Weight

789 grams

Language

English

Dimensions

234 x 153 mm

Categories:

European Politics and government