Crisis Phase (December 6, 1921-March 14, 1922): British and Irish representatives signed an agreement providing for Irish dominion status within the Britain Commonwealth on December 6, 1921, and the Irish parliament (Dail Eireann) ratified the agreement on January 15, 1922. Arthur Griffith was elected president of the executive council by the Dail Eireann on January 9, 1922.
Conflict Phase (March 15, 1922-May 24, 1923): Irish republicans led by Eamon de Valera opposed the agreement with Britain, and rebelled against the government beginning on March 15, 1922. The government and Irish republicans agreed to a temporary cessation of military hostilities on May 4, 1922. Parliamentary elections were held on June 16, 1922, and supporters of President Griffith won a majority of seats in the Dail Eireann. Irish republicans refused to recognize the government, and resumed the rebellion against the government on June 26, 1922. Government troops and Irish republicans clashed in Dublin on July 2-5, 1922, resulting in the deaths of 65 individuals. Government troops commanded by General Emmet Dalton captured Cork on August 7-12, 1922. Irish republicans killed Michael Collins, commander-in-chief of government troops, near Macroom on August 22, 1922. Arthur Griffith died on August 12, 1922, and William Cosgrave elected president of the executive council by the Dail Eireann on September 9, 1922. The Irish parliament (Dail Eireann) approved a constitution on October 25, 1922, which provided for a bicameral parliament. The government executed four Irish republicans in Dublin on November 17, 1922, and executed four Irish republicans in Dublin on December 8, 1922. The constitution went into effect, and the Irish Free State (IFS) was formally proclaimed on December 6, 1922. Irish republicans agreed to a cessation of military hostilities on May 24, 1923. Some 5,000 individuals, including 550 government soldiers, were killed during the conflict.
Post-Conflict Phase (May 25, 1923-September 30, 1927): Eamon de Valera was captured by government police on August 14, 1923. Parliamentary elections were held in August 1923, and Irish republicans began a boycott of the Dail Eireann. Eamon de Valera was released from prison on July 16, 1924. Eamon de Valera resigned as head of Sinn Fein on March 21, 1926, and he formed the Fianna Fail (FF) in opposition to the government of the IFS. Kevin O’Higgins, vice-president of the executive council, was assassinated by Irish republicans on July 10, 1927. Eamon de Valera and 56 other Irish republicans agreed to end their boycott of the Dail Eireann on August 12, 1927. Parliamentary elections were held on September 15, 1927, and supporters of the government won 61 seats in the Dail Eireann. Irish republicans won 57 seats in the Dail.
Post-Crisis Phase (October 1, 1927-April 18, 1949): President Cosgrave resigned on March 27, 1930, but he was re-elected as president by the Dail Eireann on April 2, 1930. The Irish Free State became an original member of the Commonwealth of Nations (CON) on December 11, 1931. Parliamentary elections were held in February 1932, and Irish republicans won 72 seats in the Dail Eireann. Eamon de Valera was elected president in March 1932. A new constitution was approved in a referendum and the independent state of Eire was proclaimed in 1937. Douglas Hyde became president of Eire in 1938. Eamon de Valera formed a government as prime minister in 1938. Ireland declared its neutrality in the Second World War on September 3, 1939. Parliamentary elections were held on February 4, 1948, and the FF lost its majority in the Dail Eireann. James Costello of the Fianna Gael (FG) formed a government as prime minister on February 18, 1948. President O’Kelly signed the Republic of Ireland Act on December 21, 1948, and the Republic of Ireland was proclaimed on April 18, 1949.
[Sources: Clodfelter, 1992, 591; Curran 1980; Gilbert, 1997, 402-404; Jackson 1999; Jessup, 1998, 670; Langer, 1972, 983-985, 1176-1177.]