The Centenary of the 1922 Irish Free State Constitution

To mark the Centenary of Independent Ireland’s first Constitution – the 1922 Irish Free State Constitution – and the birth of the Irish State, Dr Laura Cahillane, from the School of Law hosted a conference in the Shelbourne Hotel, where the document was originally drafted.

Together with Dr Donal Coffey of Maynooth University, and sponsored by the School of Law and AHSS, MUSSI, the Courts Service and the Shelbourne, the event brought together over 100 judges, academics, practitioners and politicians to celebrate the occasion.

Speakers included, lawyers, historians and political scientists and comprised, the Chief Justice and other superior court judges, including a member of the UK Supreme Court, the Attorney General, and academic experts at both early career and established levels.

Entertainment included two musicians – George and Ella – from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL, and a specially commissioned piece of music ‘Clocha Chora’ written to mark the centenary and accompanied by a video with footage of the time which is available to watch on the School of Law Youtube page.

The event began with a broadcast in the original Constitution Room in the Shelbourne for Morning Ireland, where Dr Cahillane explained the significance of the occasion. The event also received a write-up in the Irish Times. 

The event, which was sold out, was also recorded for those who could not attend and will be hosted on the School of Law youtube page in the coming days.