Sir, – I wonder if any of your readers might be able to resolve a small point of contention between a friend and me concerning the establishment of the Free State in December 1922.
One of us is of the view that Northern Ireland was – for a period of a day or so – a part of a 32-county Free State.
The other contends that the Free State only came into being after Northern Ireland opted not to join in a 32-county arrangement.
Recent articles commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Treaty refer to Northern Ireland as having the provision to “opt out”.
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This description does not clarify things because it overlooks the fact that it is possible to opt out of a proposed arrangement without actually being in it in the first place. – Yours, etc,
MICK BOURKE,
Clane,
Co Kildare.
