Monarchy in the Irish Free State

The King was the head of state of the 1922-1937 Irish Free State. Under the Free State constitution, the state was governed under a form of constitutional monarchy. The King exercised a number of important duties, including appointing the Executive Council (cabinet), dissolving the legislature and promulgating laws. Nonetheless, by convention the King's role was largely ceremonial. The King's duties were exercise on his behalf by his official representative, the Governor-General. Most of the King's functions were taken from him in the final days of the Irish Free State, under a constitutional amendment adopted in 1936.

Oath of Allegiance

Main article: Free State Oath of Allegiance

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Under the Free State constitution members of the Oireachtas were required to take an oath of fidelity to the King before being permitted to assume their seats. This oath was strongly objected to by many republicans and was one of the causes of the Irish Civil War. The oath was eventually abolished in 1936. The Oath of Allegiance read as follows:

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:I ................ do solemnly swear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the Irish Free State as by law established, and that I will be faithful to H. M. King George V., his heirs and successors by law in virtue of the common citizenship of Ireland with Great Britain and her adherence to and membership of the group of nations forming the British Commonwealth of Nations.

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