The first steps towards Irish independence

The Anglo-Irish Treaty was the subject of much debate, even among the Irish delegation, writes Ryle Dwyer

THE Treaty was first signed shortly after 2am on December 6, 1921. For the Irish side, Arthur Griffith, Michael Collins and Robert Barton signed at the time. George Gavan Duffy signed it later that day.

The British wished to publish a photograph of the historic signatures that day, but Eamonn Duggan had already left for Dublin with the Treaty. They got Duggan’s signature from a dinner menu that he had autographed.