On January 1, 1922, the Anglo-Irish Treaty officially came into effect, establishing the Irish Free State as a self-governing dominion within the British Empire. This momentous occasion marked Ireland's initial stride towards independence, culminating in formal ceremonies at Dublin Castle where the last British Viceroy transferred power to the newly formed Irish government. However, the treaty's terms, particularly the Oath of Allegiance to the British Crown and the partition of Northern Ireland, ignited the Irish Civil War, highlighting deep divisions within the nationalist movement.
