In December 1922, the Irish Free State Constitution Act was passed by the British Parliament, formally establishing the Irish Free State as a self-governing dominion within the British Empire. The act, which was based on the Anglo-Irish Treaty, provided for a new Irish parliament and government, but it also required an oath of allegiance to the British Crown. The act was a major step towards independence, but it was deeply divisive, leading to the Irish Civil War.

The establishment of the Irish Free State is a subject of complex poetic response, with writers celebrating the achievement of self-government while lamenting the compromises of the Treaty. The Free State's constitution is often contrasted with the republic proclaimed in 1916, creating a tension that is explored in the poetry of the period. The act's legacy is a recurring theme in Irish poetry, reflecting the ongoing struggle for full independence.