joe,
the six counties in the north did not want independence, and they are part of the geographical island known as ireland, this was because ulster was a plantation of scottish protestants.
the area that was not ulster, was called the irish free state.
so dominion status was achieved until 1937 when de velera embarked on a trade warin 1937.
Joe, under home rule ireland enjoyed greater economic prosperity than they did when de velera abandoned home rule and embarked in a trade war with the uk in 1937, i have spoken to many irish farmers about this period when de velera declared independence, and they all said that they had to sell their cattle for virtually nothing,causing massive rural hardship, that was not the fault of home rule but the fault of de veleras ridiculous economic war with the uk
republic ofireland joined europe in 1972, rep of ireland unknowingly abandoned independence in 1972, why did they sell out the ideals of the easter rising of 1916? the fact of the matter is that there were considerable shortcomings in DE VELERAS ECONoMIC Policies, when he abolished the irish free state
the agreement was signed by BOTH sides and michael collins[ who was a soldier not a diplomat] was sent over along with others by that weasel de velera to sign it.