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”.
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.