Republic of Ireland declared; leaves British Commonwealth

The Declaration of the Republic of Ireland

On April 18, 1949, Ireland officially became a republic and left the British Commonwealth. This move was a culmination of a decade-long process of increasing independence from Britain, which began with the adoption of the Irish Constitution in 1937.

The Republic of Ireland Act 1948, passed by the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) in late 1948 and signed into law on December 21, 1948, came into effect on Easter Monday, April 18, 1949. This date was symbolic, as it marked the 33rd anniversary of the Easter Rising, a key event in the Irish struggle for independence.

Key events in the establishment of the Republic of Ireland
Year Event
1937 Adoption of the Irish Constitution
1948 Passage of the Republic of Ireland Act
1949 Declaration of the Republic of Ireland

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