This Day in the Law
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April 18

Ireland Act Goes Into Effect (1949)


On April 18, 1949 (Easter Monday), the Ireland Act went into effect and officially terminated Ireland’s status as a member of the United Kingdom’s (UK) Commonwealth of Nations. In particular, the Act granted Ireland complete and independent sovereignty from the UK and repealed the External Relations Act of 1936, which had given the King of England dominion over Ireland as a member of the UK’s Commonwealth of Nations.

Despite Ireland’s (also known as Erie) withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Nations, the Ireland Act declared that Irish citizens would continue to be treated like members of the Commonwealth of the Nations rather than foreigners (i.e. aliens) in the UK. In December 1948, the President of Ireland signed the Ireland Act and it officially went into effect on this day April 18, 1949.

About a month after the Ireland Act went into effect, the British Parliament approved a statute granting Northern Ireland status as member of Great Britain. So, in effect, the citizens of Northern Ireland gained many of the same rights as British citizens, while Irish citizens lost certain Britain rights. This led to newly created hostilities between Ireland and Northern Ireland and tensions between the two countries grew.

Today, the Ireland Act remains in full effect, as Ireland is not a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.