The Government of Ireland Act (1920), which became law 100 years ago today, remains one of the most relevant pieces of legislation ever passed in Irish history. The Government of Ireland Act (1920) was called “an Act for the better Government of Ireland”. Having attempted to solve one insoluble problem, the Government of Ireland Act 1920 created another leaving two significant minorities on both sides of the new Border. The Government of Ireland Act (1920) was swiftly rejected by nationalist Ireland as the British government expected that it would be. The Anglo-Irish Treaty did not create partition; the Government of Ireland Act (1920) did that.

Source: The Irish Times December 23, 2020 11:48 UTC