Demonstration of independence

In the first of three articles on the history of the presidency, Ryle Dwyer highlights the early importance of the office. It was not the partition but the head of state issue that led to the Civil War.

WHEN the office of President was established in 1938 it was important as a demonstration of independence because the British had previously insisted that Irish Free State could not have an elected president as head of state.

Instead, the Head of State had to be the governor-general, a representative of the British Monarchy, nominated by the Dublin government and formally appointed by the British King.