Question: the republic of ireland gained independence from britain
Answer: Higgins Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Tánaiste Simon Coveney Legislature Oireachtas Upper house Seanad Lower house Dáil Independence from the United Kingdom Proclamation 24 April 1916 Declaration 21 January 1919 Anglo - Irish Treaty 6 December 1921 1922 constitution 6 December 1922 1937 constitution 29 December 1937 Republic Act 18 April 1949 Joined the EEC 1 January 1973 Area Total 70,273 km ( 27,133 sq mi ) ( 118th ) Water ( % ) 2.