From Crown to Harp: How the Anglo-Irish treaty was undone 1920-1949

by David McCullagh

The crown, long a symbol of British dominance in Ireland, represented not just monarchy but imperial control – and in December 1921, opponents of the Anglo-Irish Treaty argued that its terms would forever bind Ireland to that legacy. The newly established Irish Free State would remain part of the British Commonwealth, with only limited sovereignty, leading many to fear this arrangement would never change if the Treaty was accepted.

Yet, in just 16 years, Ireland became a republic in all but name. Twelve years later, it officially adopted that name and removed all doubt about its constitutional independence by formally exiting the Commonwealth. Remarkably, this transformation occurred without a single shot fired.

This peaceful revolution unfolded through a series of governments from various parties and a remarkable cast of a monarch willing to abdicate for love; a British prime minister who enabled Irish neutrality; and another who tried to coerce Ireland into World War II. What seemed impossible in 1921 was achieved through persistent determination, skilful diplomacy and a fair amount of luck. This is the story of how it happened.

Genres: Politics, Irish Literature, Ireland, History

400 pages, Hardcover

Published December 22, 2025

About the author

David McCullagh began working as a journalist with the Evening Press before joining RTE, where he currently presents the broadcaster’s flagship current affairs programme, Primetime.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough and well researched. Gives a great insight into an era of Irish history that I wasn’t as familiar with. Really enjoyable to learn just how much shithousery Dev was doing to annoy the British.

[Peter Thew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written survey of a critical step in Ireland's move to full independence. Between the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921 and the country's declaration of full independence in 1948, various Irish ministers slowly picked at the terms of the Treaty, slowly unravelling its key components.
With a wide range of changing characters, McCullagh guides the reader through the various machinations over the period of 27 years, with Irish ministers always trying to trade a move towards reunification of the island in exchange for remaining within the Treaty's terms. Only when it becomes clear that the British government will not negotiate on unification is the plug finally pulled on membership of the Commonwealth in any form.

[booklady]

The kindle version of this is ridiculously expensive--almost $29. I thought the whole point of kindle was to have an inexpensive alternative. 🙄

[Seán Dunne]

An excellent outlaying of the facts, albeit one suffering from laboriousness in its second act. This may be a product of the subject matter rather than the author, however. A distinguished read.