Gold coin

The War of Independence drew to a close when a truce between the Irish and British forces was agreed on 11 July 1921. The Anglo-Irish Treaty, which was signed by Irish and British Representatives on 6 December, 1921, provided for the establishment of an Irish Free State consisting of 26 of Ireland’s 32 counties. A parliament representing the six counties of Northern Ireland had already been established on 23 December, 1920. The Treaty was narrowly accepted by Dáil Éireann, the Irish Parliament, 64 votes to 57, on 7 January, 1922. Those voting against the Treaty believed that the struggle should continue until a full Republic was achieved. A Civil War erupted which continued for eleven months. In the general election held on 16 June, 1922, those for the Treaty won 92 out of the 128 seats. The establishment of the Irish Free State was the major turning point in modern Irish history