I believe the referendum resulted in a massive vote in favour of seccession. (Only 4 counties voted to stay British)
That's what I mean when I say, abide by it.
Had it not been for Carson, and the refusal of British troops at the Curragh to partake in controlling the threats of armed insurrection, by him and his followers, then, as I understand it, the whole of Ireland would have become an independant republic.
I'm not 100% sure of my facts on that, so I'm willing to stand corrected if I misunderstand the situation in 1922.