The Republic of Ireland Act 1948 was Ireland becoming of age, it was her releasing powers from The British Government and becoming a Republic in its own right. In December 1948 it was signed into law by President Seán T O’Kelly in Áras an Uachtaráin.

It was decided that the inauguration of the Republic would be delayed until 1949 to coincide with the 33^rd anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

A Mass demonstration on Dublin’s O'Connell Street was held on Easter Monday 1949, we can hear some of the speeches from that demonstration thanks to our extensive archive here in RTÉ.

Taoiseach, John A. Costello made the announcement that the bill was to be introduced when he was in Ottawa, during an official visit to Canada. Éamon de Valera, a Commandant in the 1916 Easter Rising refused to take part in the celebrations in 1949.

First Broadcast on RTÉ Radio in 1949

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